Jake Gordon has won the race to wear the vacant Wallabies halfback jersey after overcoming a knee injury ahead of the opening Test against France in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
With regular No.9 Nic White out injured, Queensland’s Tate McDermott looked in line for a starting Test debut on home turf at Suncorp Stadium.
But coach Dave Rennie instead opted for the mature head of Gordon, who will turn 28 on game eve.
The NSW Waratahs No.9 injured his knee in the penultimate game of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, putting the three-Test France series in severe doubt.
It was a big blow for the halfback, who was in career-best form.
But he recovered more quickly than expected to earn his second Test start, after being in the XV to face Italy in Padua on Australia’s spring tour in 2018, winning 26-7.
It will be Gordon’s sixth Test cap.
Rennie will confirm the rest of his line-up at 12.30pm AEST, with the biggest question mark over who will partner Gordon in the halves.
Reds playmaker James O’Connor is set to be ruled out with a groin injury paving the way for Rebel Reece Hodge to make his third start in the No.10 jersey or 21-year-old Noah Lolesio.
The Brumbies young gun made his Test debut at five-eighth last year against the All Blacks in an unhappy outing with the Wallabies pummelled 43-5.
Veteran Matt Toomua is also expected to be ruled out with a neck injury, with a new centre pairing set to be named.
There is competition for a backrow spot too, with Harry Wilson and Rob Valetini paired together at their locked-down Gold Coast training base after waging war for the Reds and Brumbies respectively this season.
PeterK
Roar Guru
lol a ridiculous narrative YET DR points it out as a core skill that is lacking and the reason Gordon was chosen. Surely DR knows his players and their skill sets.
Combesy
Roar Guru
That's a ridiculous statement. Gordon was part of a losing tahs team, while he had some good games he hardly shot the lights out. Tate had great form, particularly through the AusSuper comp. Lead the team around well and was pivotal to the form of the reds. This passing thing is a myth. You don't make it to a professional level, wallabies, u20 wallabies, Australian School boys and Aussie 7s and not having a good passing game. Ridiculous narrative.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Gordon had better form and has the better core skills INCLUDING passing McDermotts passing just isn't good enough
Combesy
Roar Guru
wake up... you're dreaming
Combesy
Roar Guru
Nope. Its got nothing to do with state allegiances.
Combesy
Roar Guru
I'm not surprised RE the kicking game, I think I said something similar on Nicholas' article last week. That part makes sense. But think the point still stands, Tate should of be rewarded with the first test after a successful super season. Lets keep in mind we are playing a young/B Team French squad, and is Jake Gordon going to be around for RWC 23? I'd suggest unlikely based on his injury record.
ken gargett
Guest
it just keeps getting worse!!
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
He'll more than likely be sitting on the bench anyway next year unless Kalani gets injured. Hope he gets a good gig in japan or France. He will definitely have to get his passing game in order there
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Probably why only 4 of those 9 you have named made the squad. And of those 4, 3 missed a number of the Tahs games, including their poorest performances.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
So if the side was stacked with queensland players (that got their respective handed to them by the 'Canes) you'd attend?
PeterK
Roar Guru
Combesy - I notice DR very explicitly says Gordon's core skills of kicking and distribution (passing) are better and that is why he has been chosen. It certainly vindicates what a lot of people have been saying are the weaknesses in McDermott's game.
Double Agent
Guest
You realise there's two Tahs in the team?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
That is the key Geoff, the pace he is playing. I honestly don't think it was there last year.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I wonder too if he is one of those players who just needed to know the spot was his before he took it. I think being captain in such a tough year was something he relished. I enjoyed watching him in the role, as I did last year with Liam Wright.
Brett McKay
Expert
He must have missed the meetings where they agreed to sign players from WA, Vic, and the ACT then...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Really good post, GE.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
C'mon Brett, we know Jock is all about grass roots. He'd never agree to enticing players from western Sydney or interstate.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Excellent post, Muglair. Gordon made a big splash in the NRC but didn't quite follow through into Super Rugby when he had his opportunities. But he has clearly worked hard on his all-round game and his conditioning. His determination to get to the breakdown has improved markedly. A clear and obvious pick at #9 on this year's form, albeit concerns over injuries.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I thought he was outstanding this year, and it was a terrible shame he copped those two injuries. Even in round one against the Reds, before he went off, he had the Reds under pressure and scored the opening try, all because of the pace he plays the game at.
Brett McKay
Expert
It's certainly been the outlet for those who only operate in black and white views... :-|