WALLABIES TEAM CONFIRMED FOR WORLD CUP OPENER AGAINST FIJI IN SAPPORO

Sep 19 • Australia, General News, International, National, Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup News, World Rugby • 1395 Views • Comments Off on WALLABIES TEAM CONFIRMED FOR WORLD CUP OPENER AGAINST FIJI IN SAPPORO

Wallabies team to play Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo on Saturday 21 September, 1.45pm JST

Scott Sio (59 Tests)
Tolu Latu (15 Tests)
Allan Alaalatoa (33 Tests)
Izack Rodda (21 Tests)
Rory Arnold (22 Tests)
David Pocock (78 Tests)
Michael Hooper (c) (95 Tests)
Isi Naisarani (4 Tests)
Nic White (26 Tests)
Christian Lealiifano (22 Tests)
Marika Koroibete (24 Tests)
Samu Kerevi (vc) (29 Tests)
James O’Connor (48 Tests)
Reece Hodge (37 Tests)
Kurtley Beale (87 Tests)

Reserves

Jordan Uelese (4 Tests)
James Slipper (91 Tests)
Sekope Kepu (106 Tests)
Adam Coleman (34 Tests)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (16 Tests)
Will Genia (105 Tests)
Matt To’omua (47 Tests)
Dane Haylett-Petty (33 Tests)

Cheika confirms team for World Cup opener

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named his team to take on Fiji in Australia’s World Cup opener on Saturday afternoon in Sapporo.

The starting side is almost a replica of the one that ran out in Perth in the record defeat of New Zealand last month, with David Pocock’s inclusion at flanker the only change to the team that took the field for the opening Bledisloe Cup Test.

Rory Arnold has overcome a hand injury that ruled him out of the second Bledisloe Cup clash in Auckland while Nic White and Christian Lealiifano return in the halves after sitting out the Test against Samoa earlier this month.

The starting side boasts 600 caps of Test experience between them with a further 436 caps amongst the reserves.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “Our goal is to win. I’m sure every team comes to every World Cup believing they can win, and that’s what makes it such a great tournament.

“We want to do two things; to do our best to win the tournament but also to show young people in Australia who are watching, how beautiful the game of rugby can be and inspire them to play rugby back home in the future,” Cheika said.

Australia met Fiji in the opening clash of the 2015 Rugby World Cup when the Wallabies prevailed 28-13 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The Wallabies will take on Wales at Tokyo Stadium in their second Pool D clash before games against Uruguay and Georgia in Oita and Shizuoka on October 5 and October 11, respectively. The two highest-ranked teams at the end of the pool stage will advance to the Quarter Finals.

Foxtel will showcase every Rugby World Cup game LIVE across two dedicated channels with no ad-breaks during play and in 4K Ultra High Definition. All games will also be streamed LIVE and On Demand on Kayo Sports.

Ten of the biggest matches from the 2019 Rugby World Cup will air LIVE and free on Network 10, WIN Network and tenplay.com.au, including every Australia match right up to and including the Final.

2019 Rugby World Cup

Wallabies v Fiji at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan, Saturday 21 September at 2.45pm AEST
Wallabies v Wales at Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Sunday 29 September at 5.45pm AEST
Wallabies v Uruguay at Oita Bank Dome, Oita, Saturday 5 October at 3.15pm AEST
Wallabies v Georgia at Shizuoka Stadium, Shizuoka, Friday 11 October at 9.15pm AEST