Rugby World Cup: Wallabies lose Will Skelton, Wycliff Palu for entire

Wallabies forwards Will Skelton and Wycliff Palu have been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup tournament with injury, according to reports.

Hooker James Hanson and lock Sam Carter are believed to be replacing the duo.

Both forwards have been under an injury cloud with Palu reinjuring his hamstring and Skelton suffering a shoulder injury after Australia’s 65-3 romping of Uruguay.

Australia have the chance to end England’s World Cup when they take on each other in a crucial Pool D match at 8am (NZT) on Sunday morning.

Palu, who appeared to fall down the No.8 pecking order behind David Pocock and Ben McCalman, would probably have struggled to get any more game time with only big matches against England and Wales ahead before the knockout stages.

Despite the fact he started at the weekend, the 33-year-old Palu was seen as an outsider to make the 23-man squad for the England game, due to Australia’s numerous back row options.

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.