Australia head coach called in Carter Gordon to face Japan in Townsville but will keep investigating his flyhalf options before next year’s World Cup
May the merry-go-round continue, after Wallabies coach Les Kiss promised to keep looking through his options at No 10 before the clash with Japan in Townsville on Saturday. The Wallabies’ new supremo has shuffled the side in only his second Test, making wholesale changes to his pack as he seeks the comprehensive victory against the Brave Blossoms many hoped would arrive last week.
It is Kiss’s decision, however, to bring in Carter Gordon at No 10 – but then also pledge to keep investigating his flyhalf options – that underscores the uncertainty within the Wallabies as the clock ticks toward next year’s home World Cup.
Kiss dumped Declan Meredith after a mixed performance in last week’s clash in Osaka, won by the Wallabies narrowly 35-32. Ben Donaldson remains on the bench while Gordon will play his third Test since returning to union.
“He takes the line on, we do believe that we can open up and stretch this opposition that we’re playing against, and if we can be more accurate this week, it’ll be on the back of what Carter can do,” Kiss said.
Despite that vote of confidence in Gordon, the coach said he was also committed to ensuring there remains depth at the position as the World Cup comes into view. “I’m keen to see all the 10s, and that’s on me,” said Kiss, who took over from Joe Schmidt last month.
“I want to see all the 10s and how they can operate. I think [with] three games for Declan, I’ve got good information on him now, he is going to only get better for us, that’s for sure, the tuition that he had under Steve Larkham [at the Brumbies] is obviously coming through.
“And in a way, I have to move that position. I want to see Carter and I want to see Donno [Donaldson] off the bench again as well, covering 15 [fullback].”
Of the No 10s tried by the Wallabies in the past two years, injuries, form, age or commitments overseas have prevented any from securing the jersey. That dynamic was highlighted when Rugby Australia paid the Gold Coast Titans – Carter’s club during his flirtation with rugby league – what was described by a “comprehensive financial settlement” to trigger a release from the final year of his NRL contract.
But just as his NRL career was impeded by injury, so too has the resumption of his one in union. Injuries, or “small niggles” as Carter described them, sidelined the 25-year-old from Nambour immediately after the two Tests he has played for the Wallabies since his return.
“I spent a lot of time on the sideline in rugby league, feet up, I wasn’t really walking there at one point and these niggles have probably been a result of that,” Gordon said, having most recently returned from a four-week lay-off due to a calf strain.
“A lot of, like I said, small ones [injuries] but luckily I’ve only spent a couple weeks on the sideline each time, but [I’m] very excited for this weekend and hopefully can keep my body sweet for the rest of the year.”
Carter is not returning to an established side. Kiss has overhauled the forward pack after the exertions in the Osaka heat last week. In the second row, Lachlan Shaw will make his first start in gold, as does flanker Charlie Cale, as part of a raft of changes. Centre Isaac Henry is also in the XV for the first time after his debut off the bench last week.
The new pivot cannot rely on having Australia’s first choice midfield pairing outside him either, as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Len Ikitau will miss the game with injuries. Yet in outside centre Henry and Hunter Paisami in No 12, at least he can call on old connections.
“Funnily enough, me, Isaac, and Hunter all played 10, 12, 13 together at [Brisbane] Wests 2018-2019, so it’s a combination that we’re pretty familiar with,” Gordon said. “I’m super excited for Zak [Henry], debuted last week, starts this week, he’s such a great player, very talented across all skill sets, so I can’t wait for him to get out there and just do his thing.”
Japan offered a valiant opposition last week, and in the past two Tests the combined margin between the sides is just seven. With nothing to lose on Saturday afternoon in Townsville as his Brave Blossoms chase a first win against Australia, coach Eddie Jones was in a playful mood.
“We’ve been watching videos of geese,” he said. “The head of the flock is like the ball-carrier, who is a king that everyone follows. We’ve got to be in line with the ball carrier to turn those long breaks into points.”
