Australia recall veteran Slipper, Tuisova and Botia back for Fiji

Another change sees Nick Frost partner captain Will Skelton at lock with Richie Arnold dropping to the bench.

LAST UPDATE | 15 Sep 2023

JAMES SLIPPER will become only the third Australian to play in four Rugby World Cup tournaments after coach Eddie Jones on Friday named him as one of three changes for the Pool C clash with Fiji.

The 34-year-old comes in at tighthead for the injured Taniela Tupou and will earn his 132nd Test cap in Sunday’s match.

Fellow veteran Nic White gets the nod at scrum-half for Tate McDermott, who suffered a concussion in last week’s 35-15 victory over Georgia in Australia’s Pool C opener and is sitting out a 12-day head injury assessment protocol.

The other change sees Nick Frost partner captain Will Skelton at lock with Richie Arnold dropping to the bench.

Meanwhile, powerhouse centre Josua Tuisova comes back into the Fiji side in one of four changes named by head coach Simon Raiwalui.

The Flying Fijians lost their opening Pool C match to Wales 32-26 last week.

Tuisova, who had been struggling with an ankle injury, will line up at inside centre with Semi Radradra switching from there to left wing and Vinaya Habosi dropping to the replacements’ bench.

“(Tuisova) getting back to full fitness obviously gives us an opportunity to see him play and have Semi (Radradra) and his qualities out wider to combat some of those aerial targets,” Raiwalui told reporters at the team’s base in Bordeaux.

Tuisova came on for Habosi after 53 minutes against Wales and his try seven minutes from time helped spark a fightback that almost resulted in a stunning come-from-behind victory.

Jiuta Wainiqolo takes over at right wing from Selestino Ravutaumada while Simione Kuruvoli is prefered to Frank Lomani at scrum-half.

“Frank (Lomani) came off and pulled up quite sore after the (Wales) match and we’ve had the philosophy right from the start that everyone is there to play,” said Raiwalui.

“Simi (Kuruvoli) is a great player as well, so he gets the chance this weekend and Frank will come off the bench.”

Versatile veteran Levani Botia, 34, comes in at openside flanker with Lekima Tagitagivalu switching to blindside and Albert Tuisue dropping to the bench.

Back Vilimoni Botitu makes the matchday 23 while Ravutaumada and Sireli Maqala miss out altogether from the squad that played against Wales.

Fiji finished strongly against Wales, scoring two tries in the final eight minutes and even had a chance to win the match but Radradra spilled a tricky pass in sopping wet conditions with the line beckoning.

Raiwalui said his bench would play a crucial role again against Australia.

“We expect those boys to come (on) and really accelerate the game,” he said.

Australia: