Australia delays announcing starting 15 for Rugby World Cup quarterfinal vs

A “dejected” Israel Folau broke down at training on Friday after strained ligaments mean he could not continue.

Though no thought was being given to sending for replacements at this stage, indicating the pair would likely be fit to face either Argentina or Ireland in a semi-final next week, should the Wallabies defeat Scotland. Larkham also insisted that playing Folau and Pocock against Scotland would only risks serious damage to their respective injuries.

The Australians won the Rugby Championship in August, sealing it with a victory over New Zealand in Sydney, while Scotland didn’t win a game in the Six Nations.

But the tournament injury toll is threatening to derail their plans, with Rob Horne still recovering from a shoulder problem and Will Skelton (pec) and Wycliff Palu (hamstring) already being sent home.

Despite the loss, Cheika backed McCalman to step up to the task as he has done throughout the World Cup so far.

“Do we need to come out fighting after losing the three guys?” It’s like for like. “Australia is probably the best in the tournament so far, and we are looking to end that on Sunday”.

Scotland had intended matching Australia’s breakdown fire with fire tomorrow with two specialist poachers in Blair Cowan and John Hardie but now they will be outnumbering Michael Hooper, who returns from suspension for the Wallabies.

In the other change to the starting line-up, lineout organiser Rob Simmons returns to the second row in place of Dean Mumm, who also drops to the bench.

Ben McCalman is given the opportunity to replace Pocock at number eight, while Beale’s promotion from the bench has created space for the mercurial Quade Cooper in the match day squad.

Cooper impressed with his only chance against Uruguay, setting up tries and showing his playmaking brilliance.

“Early in the week, Michael asked the boys to stand up and asked them how they were going to approach the week, and both said how proud they were to represent their country for a 100th time, but they were more interested in team success”.

“I’ve spoken about Quade a little bit through this campaign but he’s been a lot more consistent over the last two months”.

WALLABIES TEAM: 1. Scott Sio, 2.

Australia captain Stephen Moore remembers the conditions as being the worst he’s ever played in. Kane Douglas (20 Tests), 5. Scott Fardy (27 Tests), 7.

Quiet achiever: Wallabies No. 8 Ben McCalman was an unsung hero of the spring tour. Bernard Foley, 9. Will Genia, 8. Matt Giteau (99 Tests), 13.