Nick Frost ruled out of Italy Test

Fri, Nov 11, 2022, 9:02 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies travelled to Paris to face France in their second Spring Tour game of the 2022 campaign.

The Wallabies have once again suffered a late injury blow with Nick Frost ruled out of their Test against Italy.

Frost was named to start alongside Will Skelton, one of a handful of players to back up from the one-point defeat to France.

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However, a minor ankle injury and stomach bug has seen the 23-year-old withdraw from the side.

The Wallabies confirmed Frost picked up the knock during last week's defeat and will be replaced by Darcy Swain, with Cadeyrn Neville coming onto the bench.

Sydney Morning Herald reporter Tom Decent reports Jock Campbell is another struggling with a similar bug, in doubt for Sunday's (AEDT) Test.

Frost's injury opens the door for Swain to make his debut after serving a six-match ban for his dangerous cleanout on Quinn Tupaea.

Coach Dave Rennie is confident the Brumby has learnt from his stint on the sidelines, his second red card of the Test season.

“His first suspension was provoked and I think if the officials had done a better job when he got punched in the face, had his hair pulled, and then elbowed, maybe he wouldn’t have retaliated that way but anyway he did and he’s got to wear that,” said Rennie. “He’s learned from that.”

“The last one was clumsy. It’s not malicious, he was trying to be physical but he was pretty inaccurate.

"Unfortunately, he got suspended and Quinny Tupaea got a long-term injury which Darcy really regrets."

It continues a rapidly growing injury list for the Wallabies, with fullback Tom Banks' ankle injury more serious than first thought.

Banks was replaced by Campbell for the France Test and whilst it was only expected to sideline him for a short period, Rennie confirmed he is in major doubt for next week's Ireland Test in Dublin.

This follows a shin injury to Lalakai Foketi, ruling him out of the rest of the Spring Tour.

It leaves the Wallabies thin for midfielders according to Rennie, confirming they will likely explore their Oz-based options.

WALLABIES (15-1):  Jock Campbell; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Pete Samu, Fraser McReight, Ned Hanigan; Will Skelton, Darcy Swain; Allan Alaalatoa (capt), Folau Fainga'a, Matt Gibbon

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Cadeyrn Neville, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Jordan Petaia

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