Australia’s preparations for Sunday’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield were thrown into disarray, with injury and snow disrupting head coach Joe Schmidt’s plans.
Hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a hat-trick in last week’s thrashing of Wales, was ruled out with a calf injury after being named in the starting XV.
His absence sees Brandon Paenga-Amosa earning his first Test start in three years, while youngster Billy Pollard takes a place on the bench. Josh Nasser has been called up for the final leg of the tour in Ireland.
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Adding to the setback, heavy snow in Edinburgh grounded the team bus, forcing the cancellation of the Wallabies’ final training session. Earlier in the week, frozen pitches had also disrupted practice.
While Schmidt was grateful to the Scottish Rugby Union for allowing access to Murrayfield’s undersoil-heated pitch on Friday, Saturday’s session was limited to indoor walkthroughs.
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson attempted to see the positives: “I’ve not trained in the snow before. It’s quite exciting, but not ideal.”
Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
