Australia have suffered a double injury blow at the World Cup, with the No 8 Wycliff Palu and lock Will Skelton ruled out of the tournament days before their crunch match against England.
Skelton came off the field clutching his arm early in the second half in the Wallabies’ 11-try win over Uruguay on Sunday, while Palu had suffered a “problematic” hamstring injury, coach Michael Cheika said after that match.
The lock Sam Carter will replace Skelton in the Wallabies squad, but Palu will not be replaced by another flanker, with Cheika instead opting for another hooker in James Hanson.
Hanson, who will reinforce captain Stephen Moore and fellow hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, was to fly out from Australia on Monday.
The Australia coach Michael Cheika told Australian Rugby: “Very few players have the opportunity to play for the Wallabies, let alone at a Rugby World Cup, so from that perspective I’m really gutted for them. From a team perspective, they both play important roles in the side and it is disappointing that we need to replace players in our squad.”
Australia have won both their pool matches against Fiji and Uruguay comfortably and face their first major test on Saturday against an England side stinging from their last-gasp loss against Wales.
Palu’s injury could mean the end of the 33-year-old’s international career, with the No8 set to play in Europe after the World Cup and become ineligible for a recall.
Palu started against Uruguay but may have struggled to make the matchday 23 against England.
Cheika played two specialist openside flankers in David Pocock and Michael Hooper in his back row with success against Fiji, with Pocock taking the No8 shirt. Ben McCalman can also play as a specialist No8 if required.
Skelton, who started against Uruguay and was a replacement against Fiji, may be harder to replace, however, with his ball-carrying ability and imposing physique offering the Wallabies another weapon in attack.
However, of the two replacements Cheika said: “Both James and Sam have been part of the team at various stages this season and I am confident they will be able to step up and grasp the opportunity they have been given.”
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