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Rugby World Cup 2015: Australia lose Will Skelton & Wycliff Palu

29 September 2015 [12:53] - TODAY.AZ

Australia have suffered a setback in their preparations for Saturday's Pool A match against England as forwards Will Skelton and Wycliff Palu have been ruled out of the World Cup.

Powerful lock Skelton, 23, injured his shoulder during the Wallabies' 11-try, 65-3 victory over Uruguay on Sunday.

Number eight Palu, 33, suffered a hamstring injury in the match and will be replaced by hooker James Hanson, 27.

Lock Sam Carter, 26, will replace Skelton in the squad.

Australia comfortably won their opening game against Fiji 28-13.

But they face their first major test on Saturday when they play England at Twickenham in a must-win match for Stuart Lancaster's side.

Australia coach Michael Cheika surprised many by only naming two hookers in his 31-man squad, but has decided not to replace Palu with another back-rower, instead calling on Hanson, who flew out from Australia on Monday.

Palu's injury means the 33-year-old could have played his final game for the Wallabies as he has signed to play in Japan next season and falls three caps short of Australia's 60-cap threshold for overseas-based internationals.

The loss of Skelton, the second heaviest player at the tournament, is a significant one for Australia as his ball-carrying ability will be missed.

/By BBC/

URL: http://www.today.az/news/sports/144010.html

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