LYON – Carter Gordon’s axing has been confirmed. Ben Donaldson will wear the No.10 jersey for just the second time in his Test career, with fullback Andrew Kellaway set to make his World Cup debut on the biggest stage: a do-or-die Pool C match against Wales in Lyon on Sunday (Monday, 5am AEST).
Having been looked over for Donaldson for the opening two fixtures of the campaign, the pair find themselves at fly-half and fullback respectively after Gordon was dropped to the bench following two underwhelming Tests to start the World Cup campaign. The selection changes confirm The Roar’s earlier exclusive report.
With no other playmakers in the squad, Gordon, 22, has found himself on the bench.
“We just feel we needed to probably freshen the team up,” Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said regarding Gordon’s benching.
“Carter’s had an opportunity, struggled a bit against Fiji and [I] thought that he’s best to finish the game for us.”
Jones said Gordon was “disappointed” to be benched, but added that the move would ultimately benefit him in the long run.
“Well, I think with young players, you’ve got to have a feel with where they are,” Jones said.
“And sometimes you need to back ‘em and sometimes you need to pull them away a little bit, and at the moment we feel like it’s best to pull him away a little bit.
“They all want to start, but he knows he’s got an important role in the team.”
Carter Gordon with Ben Donaldson. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
His axing comes after spilling the ball twice in contact during the Wallabies’ 22-15 loss to Fiji in Saint Etienne.
But it wasn’t just his two errors, with Gordon failing to get a hand on a Simione Kuruvoli box kick that led to Fiji’s crucial try early in the second half. He was replaced shortly after, with Donaldson shifting to the fly-half role and his Waratahs teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase moving off his wing to fullback.
That scenario was considered early in the week, but ultimately Jones has opted to return to the proven Kellaway to fill the No.15 role in one of the Wallabies’ biggest Tests in years.
“He’s a smart player, reads the game well and against Wales, particularly who are an exceptionally high kicking team, I think his composure and his ability to read the game well is going to be important,” Jones said.
Kellaway is one of three changes to Jones’ side in their fight for survival, with his return to offer some much-needed experience and poise.
He will link up with Donaldson for the first time, with the 24-year-old Western Force playmaker to start for just the second time in a Test in the No.10 jersey.
The only other time Donaldson wore the jersey was in the Wallabies’ final Test of 2022 against Wales, where the youngster was replaced after 55 minutes and his side trailing by 21 points. The Wallabies went on to claim a stunning come-from-behind victory with Noah Lolesio running the show at fly-half.
Jones said Donaldson brought a “freshness” to the role at fly-half.
“He attacks the line well Ben,” Jones said. “When he came on in the second half, he really attacked the line well and against Wales, if we’re able to get some quick ruck ball, we’ve got Wayne Barnes who generally referees the game with quick ruck ball, we need a 10 who can attack the line.”
Tate McDermott meanwhile returns at halfback, having missed the loss because of a concussion suffered late in the first half of their 35-15 win over Georgia in Paris a week earlier.
His return sees Nic White return to the bench, with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa left out of the squad despite his sprightly cameo last weekend.
Andrew Kellaway has been recalled at fullback. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
The other change is in the back-row, with Rob Leota injected from the outset alongside Tom Hooper and No.8 Rob Valetini.
Leota’s inclusion sees Fraser McReight drop back to the bench, with his on-ball prowess and ability to speed the play up likely to be an important aspect against Warren Gatland’s Welsh side that heads into the contest atop the Pool C standings on 10 points – four points clear the Wallabies and Fiji.
The tight-five remains the same from the one that went down to Fiji, with regular captain Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou still sidelined. Hooker Dave Porecki keeps hold of the captaincy after leading the side for the first time last weekend.
There are subtle changes to Jones’ five forwards, three backs bench, with Matt Faessler Porecki’s deputy after Jordan Uelese was concussed last weekend.
Giant tight-head prop Pone Fa’amausili is also back after recovering from a calf injury, while White, Gordon and Suliasi Vunivalu are the three backs.
The Wallabies are bracing for Wales to play a territory game and bank the points on offer, with sharpshooter Dan Biggar to start at fly-half for Gatland’s side.
Jones said he was absolutely confident he had made the right call to back youth at the World Cup and remained steadfast in his belief the Wallabies will beat Wales.
“Sometimes you’ve got to take some hard decisions to get the results further down the track,” Jones said.
“I’ve got no doubt we’ll win on Sunday.
“The way the team’s prepared. The way they’ve come together. I’ve got no doubt we’ll win on Sunday.
“But if we don’t, then sometimes you’ve got to do the work that allows you to be successful further down the track.”
Wallabies team to play Wales at OL Stadium, Lyon on Sunday 24 September, 9:00pm CET/5:00am Monday AEST
1. Angus Bell (26 Tests)
2. David Porecki (c) (17 Tests)
3. James Slipper (132 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (13 Tests)
5. Richie Arnold (7 Tests)
6. Rob Leota (19 Tests)
7. Tom Hooper (6 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (37 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (27 Tests)
10. Ben Donaldson (5 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (57 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (47 Tests)
13. Jordan Petaia (30 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (8 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (24 Tests)
Finishers
16. Matt Faessler (3 Tests)
17. Blake Schoupp (3 Tests)
18. Pone Fa’amausili (5 Tests)
19. Matt Philip (30 Tests)
20. Fraser McReight (15 Tests)
21. Nic White (65 Tests)
22. Carter Gordon (7 Tests)
23. Suliasi Vunivalu (5 Tests)
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Well predicted, Rocky. A sad day for proud Australian rugby fans.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
I'm a little speechless. It's all been said by others. All I can hope for is that, having reached rock-bottom, the various administrators across the different rugby states in Oz FINALLY have the wake-up call required to fix our game.
Rohan
Roar Rookie
Dusty, the nightmare came true. Gutting for the players and fans. Damning for Eddie and Hamish. Bugger.
Stin
Roar Rookie
I’d take his potential over Leota’s performance from the past two games. If neither of them, based on your review, then who from the CURRENT World Cup squad? Gleeson played well against Wales last year for one precedent…
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
definitely better then Swain and Holloway.
Virgil
Roar Rookie
Been listening to Stirling Mortlock on BBC rugby saying that Donaldson is a full back trying to play fly half. Two things - Donaldson has played fly half most of his rugby career;secondly, Larkham began his international career at full back. Donaldson at fly half bodes well - I hope.
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Tremendous amount of comments and rugby ‘analysis’, coach character assassinations, what players we should have taken and continually regurgitating this. We’ve only lost one game in the RWC and lost to 3 much better nations before. World Champions SA, the always great ABs and France who are RWC favourites at home. Probably should have beaten Argentina though. Fiji are a far greater side than many here understand and based on our rankings, a loss by 7 was probable. If we lose to Wales, then the critics can swarm in I guess, but until then, I’m right behind these young men during a very difficult phase in Australian rugby. That isn’t their fault. Moving forward with a new team is definitely the way but will take time. Eddie is a strange beast and hope he can inspire his troops to a resounding win. Go boys!!
Fox
Roar Guru
Not sure Dougo to be honest - I normally look that up but I am sure it is not hard to find out
Kamikaae
Roar Rookie
Wallabies selection process so far is indicative of a lack of learning from an internalised experience of the coaches built over a sustained long term period of planning of tactics and strategies and based on deep knowledge of the players during training and when they were brought on to the field. Why is that? Because RA short circuited and totally up-ended the 3 years of hardwork and planning which DR and his coaching team had put in place to prepare the Wallabies for this WRC, not the 2027 WRC. HOW IS THAT?By SUDDENLY bringing in a new coach, someone who had long lost connection for more than a decade with Australian rugby. And the new coach then swiped clean the existing coaching team with new ones and began his experimentation of HIS NEW ideas, with only 9 months to go into RWC. So what do you expect? A miraculous change overnight like the religious baptism in a tub of water?? The brains or the whatever wisdom that existed in between the ears of those chaps in suits in the RA Board should be checked and brought to open scrutiny… something the sports journalists including those in Roar are not doing ( for some unknown reason) or are just skirting at the edges in their write-ups, not wanting to put the feet of the RA into the fire. And why not? Don’t blame Eddie Jones for the Wallabies surviving on life-support during the RWC. The blame is on those chaps higher up in RA who are entrusted as custodians of Australian rugby.. they should not have their eyes glued only at the dollar bottom line, while allowing the Australian rugby to go into free fall.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Actually, is he noticeably better than Swayne or Neville? I think they’re all meh but 2 of them don’t use Giteau picks. Or Holloway?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Sadly, I might have to cheer for Wales, which is a strange place to find myself, given how I want the QF match-ups to pan out.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Not a very agile pack and back row but hope they go well!
piru
Roar Rookie
I'm nothing if not confident when it's absolutely not warranted.
Virgil
Roar Rookie
I think if you put Skelton, Tupou and Ikitau into that team then you have a pretty decent side. Flankers probably a weak spot but I think Tom Hooper has a lot of potential.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Hi Rohan, I feel your pain. Enough said.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Has anyone read if Jorgo was sent home and who’s come in his place. Lenny being in Europe now would have been handy at 13.
Cec
Roar Rookie
“flogged in more of Eddies brutal training”…that might explain the soft tissue injuries to Skelton and TT, which simply shouldn’t occur in training. Those type injuries you would see on game days.
Stu
Roar Rookie
Gordon would’ve been thinking: “hmm.. I’m dropped to the bench.. brilliant - now Donno can play with White” Eddie: “Whitey - you’re benched” Gordon: “ :sick: ”
Stu
Roar Rookie
*neither side deserve to win on currant status.. @rugbynutter - yep, totally agree.. I’ll take a team’s rugby status over their dried fruit intake levels every day o’ the week. :thumbup:
Stu
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: *snorts hot coffee up own nose. Best comment EVAAA.