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SAINT ETIENNE – The Wallabies have just one fit playmaker still on French soil after Carter Gordon flew home to Australia on Wednesday because of a knee-injury.
While lock Nick Frost is also set to return home in the coming days after coming off injured during the Wallabies’ final World Cup Pool C fixture against Portugal – a 34-14 win at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard – on Sunday.
With the Wallabies in a state of limbo during the final week of the pool stage given they have played all four of their group fixtures, Eddie Jones, at this point, won’t call up anyone into the squad.
After all, only if Fiji slips up against Portugal and fail to earn a losing bonus point will Jones’ Wallabies earn a great reprieve.
More likely though is that the Wallabies have played their final Test of the year, confining Jones’ side as the first Australian team to miss the World Cup quarter-finals.
For the time being though, it leaves Ben Donaldson as the only fit playmaker in the squad following Gordon’s departure.
Carter Gordon’s Test season is officially over after suffering a knock to his knee late last week. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Gordon, 22, who started the Test season as Quade Cooper’s understudy had an underwhelming finish to his maiden international year after being entrusted with the playmaking duties.
Having been entrusted as one of two playmakers in Jones’ side, the Rebels fly-half lost the No.10 jersey after struggling during the Wallabies’ first loss to Fiji in 69 years.
The 22-15 loss saw Jones turn to Donaldson, who was a surprise selection at fullback for the Wallabies’ opening two World Cup fixtures, at fly-half.
Donaldson struggled to control the match against Wales, as the Wallabies suffered their biggest loss at a World Cup – a humbling 40-6 defeat, where Gordon came off the bench early in the second half.
Gordon had been due to come off the bench against Portugal, but the blonde-haired playmaker copped a knock during training on the eve of the Test.
It’s understood Gordon has avoided surgery and will be sidelined for around a month, meaning he will be able to hit the ground running in 2024 ahead of an important Super Rugby season.
Frost’s knee-injury is considered worse, with the 23-year-old likely to miss up to four months.
The Roar has been told he has avulsed some bone from the insertion of his biceps femoris around his knee.
“We’re disappointed for Nick and Carter that their seasons have ended through injury,” Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said in a statement.
“Nick showed great courage to play through significant discomfort against Portugal, while Carter has earned valuable experience during his first year as a Test player.
“We wish both of them a quick and successful recovery and to watching them continue to improve during Super Rugby Pacific next year.”
Frost and Gordon join Max Jorgensen in suffering tournament-ending injuries.
Should the miracle occur and the Wallabies somehow progress to the quarter-final in Marseille, it would set up an enthralling and Hollywood script of taking on Steve Borthwick’s England.
Jones would also have three available spots within his squad to fill the void left by the injured trio.
With the Australian-heavy Barbarians squad coming to the end of their tour, Jones wouldn’t have to turn far.
It would likely see him consider Brumbies quintet Cadeyrn Neville, Jack Debreczeni, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright as options. Cooper, who was controversially dumped ahead of the World Cup, returned to Japan this week ahead of Kintetsu’s League One season.
In better news, injured captain Will Skelton (calf) and prop Taniela Tupou (hamstring) would likely be once again available after being carried throughout their final three World Cup pool matches in the hope they would play a vital role throughout the knockout stage.
Yet, the likelihood of any of them playing any further part is slim given Fiji’s strong 2023 campaign.
Nonetheless, the Wallabies will regroup on Thursday and be in Saint Etienne until the end of the week, with Fiji to take on Portugal in the final match of the pool stage in Toulouse on Sunday night.
Jones said following the Wallabies’ 20-point win last weekend he was disappointed his side were no longer in control of their destiny, while centre Lalakai Foketi said the group were holding out hope for an upset.
“Yeah, definitely [Portugal can win],” Foketi said.
“I said that in the press conference during the week, they’re going to play wide to wide and they’re going to test you, and if you don’t have an iron defence, they can open you up.
“A few times we had to scramble, and I thought we did that really well.
“We’re obviously hoping Portugal come away with the win next week, and we think they can do it, the way they performed [against us], the way they play, anything’s possible and we’ll be watching that game closely.”
Back-rower Rob Valetini agreed: “Yeah, I reckon. They’re quite a skilful team and I think on their day they can beat anyone. I think they’d have to believe that they can do it and I think it’d be a good match next week.”
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.