Australia’s center Samu Kerivi remains a doubt for the World Cup against Georgia

Australia will have to do without one of its key attacking weapons, Samu Kerevi, against Georgia (6pm, Stade de France) to enter the World Cup. The 29-year-old three-quarter center underwent minor surgery after breaking a bone in his right hand during the 23-20 loss against New Zealand in Dunedin on August 5. A month later he is still not fully recovered.

For ten days, the 45-cap man with the Wallabies has been training mainly on the fringes of the squad, increasing the number of jogs and interval exercises, but he has not, or only partially, taken part in joint sessions. On Tuesday, at the Roger-Baudras Stadium near Saint-Étienne, Australia’s base camp, the Fijian-born player once again only took part in training.

Eddie Jones and his staff are unlikely to take the risk of starting him on Saturday. Waratahs center Lalakai Fogetti (28 years, 5 caps) seems the most logical replacement for him. Jones will announce his team on Thursday afternoon at Stade de France, two days before it will be played in scorching heat (34 degrees predicted for Saturday).

“We had our training camp in Darwin (Australia) It was also hot, but the most important thing for us is that we prepare well and improve every time we step on the fieldDan Palmer, one of Jones’ representatives, told the media on Tuesday. We adapt better and better to stressful and stressful situations. Whatever the weather, we are in a good place. And we intend to go far in this competition. »