Australia centre Samu Kerevi will return from injury for this weekend’s Rugby World Cup opener with Georgia, Rugby Australia announced on Thursday.
Kerevi, 29, has been sidelined with a hand issue since early August and replaces Lalakai Foketi in the starting lineup for Saturday’s game in Paris.
“Kerevi coming back gives us another option,” head coach Eddie Jones told reporters.
“He’s ready to go. He gives us another running threat out wide,” he added.
Suntory Sungoliath’s Kerevi is one of three changes rom last month’s loss to France in the Wallabies’ final warm-up match.
Youngster Ben Donaldson comes in for Andrew Kellaway at full-back and Marika Korebeite replaces Suliasi Vunivalu on the wing for the match at the Stade de France.
Against Les Bleus in August, fly-half Carter Gordon missed 10 points from the tee, but Jones views 24-year-old Donaldson as a dependable option in front of the posts as well as a replacement at outside-half.
“His goal-kicking has been a high standard,” Jones said.
“It’s an area we’ve needed to bolster a bit.”
Tight-head prop Taniela Tupou will make his 50th Test appearance against the Lelos, with experienced scrum-half Nic White coming onto the bench alongside Foketi and Vunivalu.
The Wallabies also face Fiji, Wales and Portugal in Pool C.
Team (15-1):
Ben Donaldson; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Korobeite; Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper; Will Skelton, Richie Arnold; Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, Angus Bell
Replacements: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr, Rob Leota, Langi Gleeson, Nic White, Lalakai Foketi, Suliasi Vunivalu
Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS)
