For 40 minutes in Dunedin, Eddie Jones watched the young No.10 he had thrust into the hot seat against the All Blacks a week earlier grow in stature and confidence. What Eddie failed to do, though, was fully quantify what the next 40 minutes of prodigiously talented youngster’s Carter Gordon’s game meant, and the underlying trend that had followed Carter throughout his Super Rugby season.
When Richie Mo’unga came on the field and guided his team home, sealing the match for the All Blacks with a late penalty goal, it should have been clear to Eddie that his young Flyhalf had a lot more to learn before he was ready to orchestrate a team at a World Cup.
Carter Gordon. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Jones even said as much the week before after Carter’s hot and cold performance in Melbourne, comparing the two Flyhalfves at stages of their careers: “I think he’s the best young 10 in Australia.” Jones said. “I’ve seen Richard Mo’unga play Tests like that. And Richard Mo’unga if you look at his first 45 Tests, he had a bit of up and down in it. He wasn’t good enough, then he was good enough.”
Eddie Jones is right to say Carter Gordon is hands down “the best young 10 in Australia.” And after being handed the keys to the Melbourne Rebels, Carter stepped out of Matt To’omua’s shadow and lit up the competition, quickly establishing himself as a future star of our game. But one problem remained for the youngster and the Rebels. Game after game they would get themselves in positions to win, yet Carter would be unable to close out the match, this is a skill that generally takes time to master, developed by trial and error through learned experiences on the football field.
So why did Jones, a highly savvy World Cup operator, decide a young Flyhalf with a flashy highlights reel featuring crisp, beautiful passing would be the one and only general in his squad? Jones knows the Webb Ellis Cup is raised by battle hardened no10’s that have been squeezed with relentless pressure over years before they became the diamond players we all immortalise in folklore. Think of names like Jonny Wilkinson; Dan Carter; Stephen Larkham or Michael Lynagh.
Carter Gordon with Ben Donaldson. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
How did he believe Carter could possibly squeeze all the necessary learning into a handful of International games before being expected to be the field general to an already grossly inexperienced side, while also being expected to carry the goalkicking responsibilities?
Jones saw a diamond in the rough at Dunedin, licked his lips and decided he’d be the one and only to polish it.
So it was out with Quade Cooper, no room for Bernard Foley. The only safety blanket for Carter was naming a Utility (whatever position that is?) in Ben Donaldson, a flyhalf as inexperienced as Carter, and a player who seems more comfortable in the fullback role and the space that affords him.
After hooking Carter after 50 minutes against the marvellous Fiji, Eddie might feel like dropping his young Flyhalf back to the bench. He must fight that urge, and after originally going all in on Carter he should drop his “Randwick” favourite Donaldson to the bench, bring Andrew Kellaway back to the Fullback role, and throw the keys to Carter.
Let him run the show for at least 60 minutes, attack like only he can (in our squad at least), then bring on Donaldson to close it out.
We all know the best diamonds are made under intense pressure and there is nothing more intense than do or die rugby. With Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson Eddie Jones may have uncovered two diamonds, even if they aren’t ready in time for this World Cup.
Aussikiwi
Roar Rookie
In fairness a lot of Roarers have made that exact point. No one is swallowing the self serving excuse that the WBs "smash and grab" was actually about using 2023 to build for 2027. Apart from the glaring lack of logic it is completely at odds with the earlier rhetoric from EJ and HM.
Guess
Roar Rookie
You missed the point, it’s not about his obsession with youth. If he selects a young player for important role at such critical moment he should stick with him. He didn’t take the responsibility of ‘backing’ young flyhalf at all. He bailed. He’s irresponsible clown who’s feeling the heat and acting like headless chicken. Sure, your desperate coach mismanaging the only decent playmaker, same way he mismanaged Smith is the reason he has bare cabinet
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Donaldson is young so it's not like he is dumping Carter for a jettison Foley...all is okay perhaps we find "new" young flyhalf.Not likely but not likely Carter going to step up either we have bare cabinet for good playmakers..
Guess
Roar Rookie
He's paid big bucks for embarrassing Australian rugby and bringing it to a new low
Guess
Roar Rookie
Well wallabies have special coach :stoked:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Yep if he bet on young player for such a big occasion like wc he should've stuck with him, that's responsibility. Instead he simply dumped consequences of his 'wrong' (or more like bold Eddie's got scared) choice on player's confidence. And then that clown calls it taking responsibility and how he loves coaching. Right
ScottD
Roar Guru
Fair piece mate. I agree in part but just note that he can't be expected to start every game or he will breakdown. So sharing the load a bit with Donaldson starting a couple of games is appropriate.
p5mac
1. We lost quite a few players to training issues last year as well – I think there was supposed to be a review into it. 2. Selecton, strategy, everything. I’m pretty confident we will be found out against Wales and deservedly. Normally I don’t blame the coach as much as others do, but in this case it is. Eddie has lost the plot, he is out of his depth.
John
No doubt a first round departure will be embarrassing for us as a first tier rugby nation. Two things come to my mind.1. Why are we losing so many players to training based injuries 2. The selection of the squad. No cover for a 10 and relying on a rookie to cover the full load. Exclusion of Ikitau and Samu, also terrible decisions. Sorry Eddie you dont get paid big dollars for that and then to say we can win the World Cup. Embarrassing.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Everyone seems to have overlooked a basic fact. Thr tournament should be the pinnacle of the 4 year cycle, not the start of the next one. To put in a weakened squad is the height of sheer arrogance, and Australia has effectively thumbed its nose at the world. I am personally embarrassed. The tier 2 nations put their absolute best teams in and play with great pride. What makes us so special?
Skippy89
Roar Rookie
Simple answer. Quade likely didn't agree with EJ's tactics or gameplan and probably challenged EJ so he had to go. I thikn EJ also didn't like how much the squad looked up to and listened to Quade. EJ doesn't want that.
Thelastsamurai
Roar Rookie
Ed, I have to agree with you. EJ and co have to ask themselves, “Do we believe in youth and talent?” And if the answer is yes, then to hell with it, select CG as 10 and go all-in. If the Wallabies aren’t good enough to beat Wales, then so be it. Would you rather lose by a close margin and lynch a promising 10, or lose (or maybe surprise some and win) by any margin and go down guns blazing? Rugby Australia would have asked these questions of EJ and really its management that have let EJ take the reins for better or worse. He has excited some fans with the hope and promise of youth, so stick with it. Don’t change it because you got found out by a very good Fijian side, it feels embarrassing.