Florence: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie says fullback Tom Banks is in doubt for next week’s clash against Ireland — and may be sent home early from the spring tour — ahead of a match against Italy he concedes is something of a banana skin game for Australia.
While Saturday’s third match of the tour is being treated with the respect and attention it deserves, ultimately Rennie and his coaches have one eye already on a match against the world’s No.1 side in Dublin.
Rennie has made 11 changes to his starting XV for this week’s match in Florence, resting a host of stars including James Slipper, Michael Hooper, Nic White and Rob Valetini.
Australia will name their strongest team possible next week but could be without Banks due to an ankle injury.
Rennie was initially optimistic about a return for Banks after he missed the second match against France due to an injury suffered against Scotland.
“We think he’s a good chance to be available,” Rennie said on Sunday, upon landing in Florence.
Tom Banks in action against Scotland.Credit:Getty
However, the diagnosis is worse than first thought for Banks.
“He’s got a bit of a bung ankle,” Rennie said. “We thought it might come right by now. It looks like he won’t even be right for Ireland. So we’ve got some decisions to make there.”
The Wallabies say Banks will travel with the team to Dublin on Sunday and won’t make a call until then on whether he will remain with the group or head home ahead of starting a new rugby adventure with Japanese club Honda.
Jock Campbell, who excelled in his starting debut last week against France, will wear the Wallabies’ No.15 jersey in consecutive weeks.
Rennie says a decision has still not been made on who will replace Lalakai Foketi in the squad after he picked up a shin injury in Australia’s 30-29 loss to France. Foketi was subsequently ruled out of the tour.
Rennie did suggest, however, it could be a player flying in from Australia.
“We’re a bit thin in midfield, no doubt,” Rennie said. “Jordy [Petaia] will cover there this week.”
There is pressure is on the Wallabies to maintain their perfect record against Italy since the teams first met in 1983.
The closest Italy have got to beating Australia was a 22-19 result in 2012.
Asked if the upcoming match was a banana-skin fixture for his side, Rennie replied: “We’re very conscious of that. By making changes, there is a huge amount of enthusiasm in the room. There are guys who are desperate for an opportunity, guys who have been training really well and deserve a crack.
“What we know is if you’re loose, they’ll come hard. They have high line speed, they’re aggressive, and they’ve got some athletes who can hurt you.
“They’ve got very good threats across the park and are very good post-tackle. We need to look after the ball and apply pressure. We need to defend well against them.”
Returning for the Wallabies, via the bench, is second-rower Darcy Swain, who was suspended for six weeks following an ugly cleanout on New Zealand’s Quinn Tupaea in September’s Bledisloe Cup opener.
It made Swain public enemy No.1 in New Zealand. Swain, who didn’t want to be interviewed about the hit this week, spoke to the Canberra Times last month about the incident.
“I knew I’d stuffed up straight away,” Swain said. “If I could take it back, I would. It was a mistake and for that I’ll always be sorry.”
Rennie said he had spoken to Swain about what was expected in his comeback match, following another two-week suspension earlier in the year for a headbutt on England’s Jonny Hill.
“What we don’t want is him getting a reputation,” Rennie said. “His first suspension was provoked. I think if the officials had done a better job when he got punched in the face and then his hair pulled and elbowed, maybe he wouldn’t have retaliated. Anyway, he did, and he’s got to wear that.
“He’s learned from that and the last one was clumsy. It’s not malicious. He’s trying to be physical but he was pretty inaccurate. We still want him to be physical but he’s got to be accurate.”
Watch all the action from the Wallabies Spring Tour with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport. Continues this weekend (all times AEDT) with Italy v Wallabies (Saturday 11.40pm), Ireland v Fiji (Saturday 11.50pm), England v Japan (Sunday 2.05am), Wales v Argentina (Sunday 4.20am), France v South Africa (Sunday 6.50am) and Scotland v All Blacks (Monday 1am).
