LYON: Dave Porecki will captain the Wallabies in their must win clash with Wales on Monday (AEST) as Eddie Jones' curious calls continue at the Rugby World Cup in France.
Wallabies vice captain Tate McDermott has recovered from concussion to start at halfback but has not been given the skipper's armband in the continued absence of captain Will Skelton (calf).
Hooker Porecki captained Australia for the first time in their historic 22-15 loss to Fiji which put the Wallabies in danger of missing out on the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
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As forecast, Jones has made the bold call to dump five-eighth Carter Gordon for utility Ben Donaldson, who started at fullback against Fiji.
That allows Andrew Kellaway to make his first appearance at the tournament in the No.15 jersey while flanker Rob Leota comes in for Fraser McReight in the third change to the starting XV.
"Every team has matches like this during a Rugby World Cup and for this young team it is this week," Jones said.
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"We've prepared well, are focused on what we need to do, and we'll be ready to fight."
Wales are top of Pool C on 10 points ahead of Fiji and Australia (both six).
The top two teams progress to the quarter-finals in Marseille.
https://twitter.com/StanSportRugby/status/1705123617384923632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
WALLABIES (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Ben Donaldson, Tate McDermott, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, James Slipper, Dave Porecki (c), Angus Bell
Reserves: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Pone Fa'amausili, Matt Philip, Fraser McReight, Nic White, Carter Gordon, Suliasi Vunivalu
NEW PODCAST! Fiji beat Australia for the first time in 69 years. Michael Atkinson, Sam Worthington and Tom Decent discuss what's next for the Wallabies
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