Latest news with #RobValetini
France 24
4 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Last-gasp try saves Australia against Fiji
In their lone game before facing Andy Farrell's tourists, Australia blew a 14-0 lead in front of a full house in Newcastle, north of Sydney, before Wilson saved their blushes with a minute to go. It helped erase memories of their stunning 22-15 upset by Fiji during a torturous 2023 World Cup campaign when led by Eddie Jones -- their first defeat to the Pacific Islanders in 69 years. But it will have done nothing to strike fear into the Lions, with Australia guilty of missed chances and silly mistakes, denied two tries for forward passes. They were without injured big guns Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Jake Gordon and their presence was missed. With Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka watching, the hosts came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. They launched relentless attacks and got their reward on eight minutes with hooker David Porecki, in his first start since the 2023 World Cup, finishing off a driving maul from a lineout as the Fiji defence collapsed. Noah Lolesio added the extras for a 7-0 lead. Australia looked to have nabbed their second try from a sweeping left-right move that saw wing Harry Potter dot down. But the referee called them back for a forward pass by fullback Tom Wright. Undeterred, they kept pressing, spending sustained periods inside the Fijian half, but chances went begging as they conceded a host of turnovers and breakdown penalties. They finally converted another opportunity two minutes before half-time, with flanker Fraser McReight finishing an attack aided by superb hands from Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. But Australia then went to sleep as the hooter sounded when Fiji collected from the restart and strung together a series of passes that ended with Salesi Rayasi's try to send them to the break trailing the Wallabies 14-5. Fiji slotted a penalty after the restart to stay in touch and were fortunate when another Wallabies try was disallowed. As in the first case, the referee saw a forward pass in the build-up, again by Wright. It was a costly error as Jiuta Wainiqolo ran the length of the field minutes later, carving through the defence to set up Lekima Tagitagivalu for a stunning converted try to put Fiji in front 15-14. A ragged Australia had a huge let off almost immediately when another Fiji try was disallowed and adding to their woes, Lolesio was helped off the field with a neck injury. Caleb Muntz drilled a penalty to boost Fiji's lead and they looked destined to win before a desperate late surge from Australia that saw Wilson bust his way over with Ben Donaldson converting the kick.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies LIVE: Australia take on Fiji in first Test of the year
Latest posts Latest posts 1.02pm Who have you got today? 12.53pm The Flying Fijians lining up strongly Former AFL ruckman turned rugby coach Mick Byrne is leading the Fiji team after success with the Drua and has named a very strong team in the steel city. Salesi Rayasi the former New Zealand sevens star now playing for Vannes in France gets his debut for Fiji. As ever, there is a strong Drua feel to the team, highlighting the strength of tried and tested combinations, particularly in the halves with Caleb Mutz and Simione Kuruvoli. Josua Tuisova is one of the most dangerous backs in the world and will soon be a teammate of Taniela Tupou at Racing 92. Jiuta Wainiqolo is also a star with Toulon in the Top 14. Fiji are labelled underdogs at the bookmakers, but this is an extremely strong side who will be desperate to repeat the win over the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup. 12.52pm How the Wallabies are lining up Some interesting selection decisions here by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. Veteran loosehead James Slipper will start ahead of Angus Bell and Dave Porecki is back in a Wallabies jersey at hooker after a long absence. The absence of Rob Valetini has opened a slot for Waratahs player of the year Langi Gleeson who will relish the physical contest against the flying Fijiians. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen are back after injury interrupted seasons with NSW, with Harry Potter getting rewarded for his outstanding form for the Force. Perennial breakdown pest Carlo Tizzano will be desperate to replace Fraser McReight and remind selectors why the number 7 Wallabies jumper isn't a foregone conclusion. Finally, Tate McDermott gets a rare start with Jake Gordon nursing an injury and his sniping will set the Fiji team on edge. 12.52pm Good afternoon to the true believers Good afternoon to all of you. The press box in Newcastle for the Wallabies first Test of the year will be some sight, after the weakened Waratahs shocked everyone with a performance for the ages against the best of Britain and Ireland last night. It kept everyone working in the wee small hours and why not? Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the home side of their own watergate, with Waratahs coach Dan McKellar denying any water cans were used in his team's preparation in their brave 10-21 defeat. Charlie Gamble was delivering beer eight years ago around Mascot and playing subbies on Camperdown Oval, he finished his night by completely outplaying 2022 World Rugby player of the year Josh Van der Flier. It was the perfect entree for today's contest, the Wallabies almost at full-strength taking on a strong Fiji side in the steel city. There is no Rob Valetini and Will Skelton who are nursing injuries that we have been told are not said to be serious enough to keep them out of the Lions series. My decorated partner in the halves and former schoolboy rugby sensation Iain Payten is in Newcastle sending us his expert thoughts. I will be manning the blog, accompanied by my father from Belfast. Here we go.
The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Wallabies LIVE: Australia take on Fiji in first Test of the year
Latest posts Latest posts 12.53pm The Flying Fijians lining up strongly Former AFL ruckman turned rugby coach Mick Byrne is leading the Fiji team after success with the Drua and has named a very strong team in the steel city. Salesi Rayasi the former New Zealand sevens star now playing for Vannes in France gets his debut for Fiji. As ever, there is a strong Drua feel to the team, highlighting the strength of tried and tested combinations, particularly in the halves with Caleb Mutz and Simione Kuruvoli. Josua Tuisova is one of the most dangerous backs in the world and will soon be a teammate of Taniela Tupou at Racing 92. Jiuta Wainiqolo is also a star with Toulon in the Top 14. Fiji are labelled underdogs at the bookmakers, but this is an extremely strong side who will be desperate to repeat the win over the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup. 12.52pm How the Wallabies are lining up Some interesting selection decisions here by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. Veteran loosehead James Slipper will start ahead of Angus Bell and Dave Porecki is back in a Wallabies jersey at hooker after a long absence. The absence of Rob Valetini has opened a slot for Waratahs player of the year Langi Gleeson who will relish the physical contest against the flying Fijiians. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen are back after injury interrupted seasons with NSW, with Harry Potter getting rewarded for his outstanding form for the Force. Perennial breakdown pest Carlo Tizzano will be desperate to replace Fraser McReight and remind selectors why the number 7 Wallabies jumper isn't a foregone conclusion. Finally, Tate McDermott gets a rare start with Jake Gordon nursing an injury and his sniping will set the Fiji team on edge. 12.52pm Good afternoon to the true believers Good afternoon to all of you. The press box in Newcastle for the Wallabies first Test of the year will be some sight, after the weakened Waratahs shocked everyone with a performance for the ages against the best of Britain and Ireland last night. It kept everyone working in the wee small hours and why not? Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the home side of their own watergate, with Waratahs coach Dan McKellar denying any water cans were used in his team's preparation in their brave 10-21 defeat. Charlie Gamble was delivering beer eight years ago around Mascot and playing subbies on Camperdown Oval, he finished his night by completely outplaying 2022 World Rugby player of the year Josh Van der Flier. It was the perfect entree for today's contest, the Wallabies almost at full-strength taking on a strong Fiji side in the steel city. There is no Rob Valetini and Will Skelton who are nursing injuries that we have been told are not said to be serious enough to keep them out of the Lions series. My decorated partner in the halves and former schoolboy rugby sensation Iain Payten is in Newcastle sending us his expert thoughts. I will be manning the blog, accompanied by my father from Belfast. Here we go.
CNA
6 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Schmidt says injured Wallabies trio to be fit for Lions series
MELBOURNE :Australia loose forward Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and scrumhalf Jake Gordon will miss Sunday's test against Fiji through injury but should be fit to face the British & Irish Lions, coach Joe Schmidt said. Valetini and Skelton have been nursing calf injuries, while Gordon is recovering from a hamstring strain, Australian media reported. Schmidt declined to confirm the nature of the injuries on Friday but said Valetini and Skelton had trained away from the main group in the lead-up to the Fiji test in Newcastle. Valetini, who was starting blindside flanker against Ireland in the Wallabies' last test in November, has been replaced by Langi Gleeson, while lock Jeremy Williams will partner Nick Frost in the second row. Valetini and Skelton's absence robs the Wallabies of experience and power against Mick Byrne-coached Fiji, who shocked them 22-15 at the World Cup in France and are their last warm-up before the first Lions test in Brisbane on July 19. "I'd be very confident all three of those guys will be ready to train at the start of the week for that first lead-in to the British and Irish Lions first test," Schmidt told a press conference in Newcastle. "But for this week, it was probably a week too soon." Gordon was Schmidt's preferred scrumhalf last season but Tate McDermott will wear the number nine jersey, with 35-year-old Nic White backing up from the bench. Noah Lolesio has been retained at flyhalf. "Jake trained with the side today, so he's very close to being able to (play)," said Schmidt. COHESION The Wallabies' season-opening test sees number eight Harry Wilson retained as captain but the appointment may not hold for the Lions series, Schmidt said. With hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa released from the squad, Dave Porecki starts in the number two jersey in his first test since the 2023 World Cup. He lines up next to veteran props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa. Rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii and Len Ikitau resume their midfield partnership, with Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter the starting wingers, and Tom Wright at fullback. Schmidt was cagey about whether his match-day squad was a preview of his preferred team for the Lions but suggested whoever he picked would face a huge challenge against Andy Farrell's men. The Lions opened their Australia tour by racking up more than 50 points in tour match victories over the Western Force and Queensland Reds. "They've been pretty impressive. I think two games in the first 20 minutes they haven't really started that well," said Schmidt. "But even saying that ... they've actually missed a few opportunities. "I think the more cohesion they develop, the more they'll be dangerous in finishing some of those opportunities. "I think (their players) are really competing for spots ... They've got incredible strength and depth." 15-Tom Wright, 14-Harry Potter, 13-Joseph Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Max Jorgensen, 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Tate McDermott, 8-Harry Wilson (capt), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Langi Gleeson, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-David Porecki, 1-James Slipper.
Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Wallabies name Joseph Suaalii to face Fiji after broken jaw injury
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australian rugby's $5 million man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been given the all-clear to play his first Test on home soil when the injury-hit Wallabies take on Fiji at Newcastle on Sunday in a warm-up for the British & Irish Lions series. Suaalii has been sidelined since mid-May when he broke his jaw playing for New South Wales against Queensland but the 21-year-old NRL convert has made a quick recovery and been named for the Wallabies at outside centre. His return will come as a massive boost to an Australian side, already weakened by the absence of several senior players, including two-time John Eales medallist Rob Valetini, halfback Jake Gordon and giant lock Will Skelton, who captained the Wallabies at the last World Cup. All three are carrying injuries and hopeful of being fit for the first Test against the Lions, kicking off July 19. Australia's centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been picked to face Fiji. Picture: AFP Queensland Reds backrower Harry Wilson retains the captaincy, at least for the match against Fiji, after head coach Joe Schmidt appointed him as skipper last year. Langi Gleeson replaced Valetini at blindside flanker with Carlo Tizzano named on the bench as the reserve loose forward. With Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams retained as the starting locks, Tom Hooper comes into the side as the backup second row in the absence of Skelton. Livewire Queensland halfback Tate McDermott will feed the scrum with Nic White on the bench. Elsewhere, electric winger Max Jorgensen returned from an ankle injury to earn a spot in the starting side in the left wing, with Harry Potter on the other side. Former skipper Dave Porecki was named as the starting hooker in his first match in the gold jersey since the World Cup. The biggest surprise was the selection of veteran prop James Slipper as the starting loose-head. Angus Bell has been the preferred starter because he's such a powerful ball runner but will come off the bench against Fiji. Despite the injuries, Schmidt said his reshuffled side had gelled well ahead of what is expected to be a highly physical clash with the Pacific Islanders. 'The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the Test on Sunday against Fiji.' 'I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle, as we kick off an exciting but incredibly demanding 2025 Test match schedule.' Originally published as Wallabies announced XV to face Fiji, with star Joseph Suaalii set to return from broken jaw
