Already out against Fiji, the Australian captain is also absent from the next match against Wales.
Australia captain Will Skelton, injured in his calf and withdrawn from the Wallabies’ historic defeat against Fiji (22-15) on Sunday in Saint-Étienne, will miss the match against Wales on September 24 in Lyon. , coach Eddie Jones said on Sunday.
“They (Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou, right prop, hamstring injury) will not be available for Wales» replied Jones when asked if his captain would be reinstated for the match, which is crucial for Australia’s qualification.
The second line of La Rochelle, victim of a “slight contracture» according to his coach Dan Palmer, Thursday in training, appeared on the lawn of the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium with an orthopedic boot covering his entire calf when the Australians came to reconnoitre the field, before the meeting on Sunday.
He had a scan on Friday when Eddie Jones unveiled his starting XV to face Fiji, and did not take part in the traditional captain’s training on Saturday.
Skelton could reunite with his teammates after the match against the Welsh, during Australia’s final Group C match against Portugal, on October 1, again in Saint-Étienne.