Australia centre Samu Kerevi will make his much-anticipated comeback from injury in Saturday’s World Cup opener with Georgia, Rugby Australia have announced.
Kerevi, 29, has been sidelined with a hand issue since early August and replaces Lalakai Foketi in the starting lineup for the game in Paris.
Suntory Sungoliath’s Kerevi is one of three changes made by Eddie Jones from last month’s loss to France in the Wallabies’ final warm-up match.
“Kerevi coming back gives us another option,” head coach Jones told reporters on Thursday. “He’s ready to go. He gives us another running threat out wide,” he added.
Youngster Ben Donaldson comes in for Andrew Kellaway at fullback and Marika Korebeite replaces Suliasi Vunivalu on the wing for the match at the Stade de France.
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Against Les Bleus in August, flyhalf Carter Gordon missed 10 points from the tee, but Jones views 24-year-old Donaldson as a dependable option in front of the posts as well as a replacement at outside-half.
“His goal-kicking has been a high standard,” Jones said. “It’s an area we’ve needed to bolster a bit.”
Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou will make his 50th Test appearance against the Lelos, with experienced scrumhalf Nic White coming onto the bench alongside Foketi and Vunivalu.
The Wallabies also face Fiji, Wales and Portugal in Pool C.
Australia – 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Korobeite, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Subs: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Rob Leota, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nic White, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu
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