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A year ago Carter Gordon wasn’t even a regular for the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park. Now, he looks set to take centre stage for the Wallabies across the road at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night.
After twice appearing off the bench, The Roar can reveal the 22-year-old is poised to wear the No.10 jersey in the Wallabies’ Bledisloe opener against the All Blacks, replacing veteran Quade Cooper.
Sources have told The Roar the Rebels playmaker is set to be one of several changes to Eddie Jones’ side, with 24-year-old livewire Tate McDermott shaping to be Gordon’s partner in the halves.
Carter Gordon. (Photo by Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Gordon’s Rebels teammate Andrew Kellaway is set to play fullback, with Jordan Petaia in the frame to start alongside Samu Kerevi in the midfield. There is expected to be a place on the bench for Izzy Perese.
If indeed that is the case, it will be the same Queensland midfield pairing that lost to the Jones coached England side in the 2019 World Cup quarter-final.
While co-captain Michael Hooper had hoped to be fit for the Wallabies’ last Test on home soil before the World Cup, it’s unlikely the veteran Waratahs flanker will be rushed back from a calf injury.
As such, Jones could turn to the fit-again Tom Hooper in a bigger back-row. Where that leaves Fraser McReight remains to be seen.
Up front, Jones looks like he will spring a surprise and name Angus Bell to start ahead of James Slipper.
Bell made a strong impact off the bench against Argentina in his first match in six months.
His powerful running game was on display, making a strong carry in the second half to get the Wallabies well over the gain line as they looked to run down the Pumas.
Without Taniela Tupou, the lack of ball-running forwards has him in the frame to start ahead of Slipper, with the co-captain likely to come off the bench.
Tate McDermott is poised to start against the All Blacks. (Photo by Getty Images)
That could see Jones forced to name another captain to lead the Wallabies onto the MCG, as they attempt to snap their 21-year losing Bledisloe streak.
McDermott, who surprisingly did media duties on Tuesday despite facing reporters as recently as Friday, took over the Wallabies captaincy when Slipper left the field midway through their 34-31 loss against Argentina earlier this month.
He said ensuring urgency around the breakdown and putting constant pressure on the All Blacks’ decision-makers, which meant winning the collision contest, was the key to success.
Jones had hinted in the lead up to the Bledisloe week that changes could be afoot.
“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,” Jones told reporters 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.”
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones (C) chats with his coaching team during training session on July 25, 2023 in Melbourne. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
After consecutive defeats very few people are giving the Wallabies a chance of ending their horror run against the All Blacks.
While the selection of McDermott and Gordon could be viewed as a sink-or-swim scenario, both players built throughout the Super Rugby season.
Crucially, they will give the Wallabies a threat around the halves in a match viewed as unwinnable by many.
“It’s a massive game,” Jones said last Saturday.
“There’s nothing better than coaching New Zealand.
“If you look at Australia at the moment, probably no one outside of our immediate squad thinks we’ve got a chance of winning, which sometimes can drive a bit more closeness within the team, a bit more purpose about what we’re doing and we’re looking forward to the challenge of playing against a very good New Zealand team.”
Jones will confirm his squad on Thursday morning.
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.