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At his official unveiling back in January, Eddie Jones said the Bledisloe Cup was a “priority” but interestingly added it wouldn’t be the “be-all and end-all” in 2023 because of the looming World Cup.
More recently, Jones reiterated that every move he was making this year was with the World Cup firmly in mind.
“I came into the job with the intention of getting the team ready for the World Cup given the short period of time, so that’s always been the intention,” he said on Saturday.
“These games, as important as they are, and certainly against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup we treat it with the utmost importance, I’ve got to find out who the best 33 is for Australia and this is just part of the process.”
With that in mind, and time running out for Jones to settle on his 33-man World Cup squad, could the veteran coach be about to go bold and give the next generation the chance to steal the show by naming Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon in the halves to take on the All Blacks at the MCG?
What’s more, could McDermott lead the side for their Bledisloe opener?
Tate McDermott should start against the All Blacks in Melbourne. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
With Michael Hooper not likely to be risked because of a calf injury and the Wallabies in desperate need of some ball runners, could James Slipper come off the bench behind the damaging Angus Bell, leaving Jones in need of a new skipper?
As well as saying the Wallabies might need several captains throughout the year, Jones has spoken of the Wallabies needing to embody the “digger” spirit out on the field.
Few show it better than McDermott, who wears his heart on his sleeve and is always prepared to have a crack.
He not only keeps defenders guessing around the ruck, but the Reds halfback throws himself into contact too.
Tate McDermott in action during a Wallabies training session on July 25, 2023 in Melbourne. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
While there have always been questions about McDermott’s pass, his speed to the breakdown and ability to probe around the ruck is second to none.
For him to succeed, the Wallabies will need to ensure they get over the gain line and vastly improve their breakdown work to ensure clean, quick ball.
No team goes out onto the field expecting to lose those areas. If they do, they shouldn’t be there.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones (C) chats with his coaching team during a training session on July 25, 2023 in Melbourne. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
But Jones needs to discover more about McDermott because the lack of tempo in the Wallabies’ game currently is telling, with neither Nic White (33) and Quade Cooper (35) looking especially threatening for opposition defences.
Asked about whether the Wallabies had enough potency in the two playmaking positions, Jones said it could be a factor but added that Cooper was still in the early stages of his comeback from a season-ending Achilles injury.
“I think there’s two points there,” Jones said.
“Firstly, we’ve got a number of players coming back from long-term injuries and as much as we’d like them to be at their best now they’re not going to be at their best until the World Cup, and we’ve got a plan in place to get each player back to their best, so this is a part of the process.
“We don’t know where Quade’s going to end up, he’s four games into returning from an Achilles tendon, Samu Kerevi’s three or four games back from an ACL, and they’re serious injuries, so with better exposure to quality training and rugby training over the next period of time, they’re going to get a lot sharper with time.
“So, your comment about pace may be relevant, may not be relevant.”
Meanwhile, Gordon has impressed Jones all year after a much-improved Super Rugby season where he stepped out of the shadow of Matt To’omua and showed he belonged.
At his April training camp, Gordon was the one figure who stood out to Jones.
Carter Gordon’s defence is a feature of his game no other Australian playmaker has. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Although he returned a quieter figure with Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley running the show in early June, Gordon continued to take Jones’ eye.
Nor has his eye let him down, with Gordon showing he’s a player for the future after promising Tests against the Springboks and Pumas.
In difficult situations, Gordon stood tall.
First in Pretoria, next playing out of position in Sydney against Los Pumas.
A Test against the All Blacks would represent another stern challenge for the 22-year-old.
What’s there to lose in throwing the youngsters into the fray ahead of White and Cooper?
As Jones said on Saturday, no one outside of the Wallabies expects the men in gold to win.
Carter Gordon has had a promising start to his international career. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Should they succeed, it will prove both men, regardless of whether they start at the World Cup or not, are ready for the big stage.
After all, 80,000 people are expected to turn up at the MCG.
If they struggle, Jones can return to experience knowing much more about his wider squad.
It’s a win-win for a side not expected to challenge the All Blacks.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.