With last week’s duel with Noah Lolesio out of the way, Carter Gordon faces another contender for the Wallabies No.10 jersey when he faces Ben Donaldson on Friday.
The No.10 fight is shaping as a beauty this season, and Gordon was out pointed by the Brumbies playmaker last week.
The Rebels were disappointing in a 30-3 Super Rugby Pacific opening-round loss to the ACT Brumbies and are out to make amends against the Western Force.
The Perth side were also outplayed by the Hurricanes 44-14 in their round-one outing
The teams meet on Friday night as part of Super Round which features all 12 teams playing at AAMI Park over the weekend.
“Obviously there’s a lot to clean up after the first round as we weren’t too happy with how we played,” Gordon told AAP.
Carter Gordon during an Australia Wallabies training camp at Sanctuary Cove on April 18, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“We’ve put some systems into place and we’ve had a good few days of training and we’re looking forward to putting in a good performance this week.”
While new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will be in the stands at AAMI Park, Gordon said he couldn’t look at facing Donaldson as a personal battle and needed to focus instead on improving his own performance.
“Donno (Donaldson) is a good player and he had a good game last week for the Force, but this week I’ve just been focused on my performance and make sure that I’m getting my things right so I can put the team in the best place,” Gordon said.
“It’s important that you do your job for your team as you have no control how the other team is going to play.
“In my mind if you go out there and do your job and you control the team properly you have a good game.”
Gordon said the players were continuing to work with AFL flag-winning sports psychologist Andrew Waterson as they look to stop outside noise affecting their on-field performance.
Waterson, who was part of the backroom staff that plotted the Melbourne Demons’ title in 2021, was initially brought in to help players including Gordon, fullback Andrew Kellaway and star signing Taniela Tupou with the fallout from the Wallabies’ horror World Cup campaign last year.
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But with the financially stricken Rebels seemingly headed towards Super extinction, his skill-set is being used to help players deal with the uncertainty surrounding their playing future.
With Rugby Australia set to make a decision on the club’s future in the coming weeks, Gordon admitted that was on the minds of some players.
“There is noise there and we’d be silly saying it wasn’t on the front of some people’s minds,” the 24-year-old said.
Carter Gordon. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“But we’re trying to come together as much as we can as a team and put the team first and focus on the games and training.”
Gordon said he was starting to see how sports psychology could help with managing his mind-set and improving his game.
“I definitely haven’t in the past, but I’m slowly getting into that now and I think it’s a part of my game and a part of my life I can get better at so yeah, definitely using him (Waterson) more,” he said.
“Not only myself but the whole team is.”
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
I’m a big Carter Gordon fan because of his ability to work on his flaws, kicking excepted. Pretty sure I mentioned him in 2022 as a Wallaby bolter. But they threw him in way too deep, way too fast with no life vest. Shameful. Fortunately, I think he’ll bounce back, but screw EJ and the horse he rode in on…
signpost
Roar Rookie
For what it's worth. Brumbies started strong with Noah Lolesio playing his best game for years. Had menace (not Bambi) in his eyes with Gilbert in hand. Why is it so? Fast ball from the recently promoted scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan has uncorked the team. Seizing opportunities before opponents reset was beautiful to watch. Interestingly the Force 'came to life' at 52min when scrumhalf Issak-Fines-Leleiwasa enterred the fray. Till then Donaldson @ 10 was unsighted with the backline in D for the first 52. The team were not on the same songsheet. I-F-L added spark, direction & speed. How he's not starting this week astounds me. Cron must be enamoured by the perky mustache. Watch those games & its hard to ignore how a once great scrumhalf chokes a team yet looks stylish in the process.
piru
Roar Rookie
I couldn't live like that Blik, sorry.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Your faith is commendable piru... I learned with the Force to expect less and rather be surprised than disappointed. I expected then to beat the Canes last week, it was too much.
shoremen
Roar Rookie
I agree. But to do what you say the forwards need to lay a platform for their 9 and 10 - something they failed to do last week against the Hurricanes. They lost the physical confrontation and were inefficient at the breakdown. Your 9 and 10 need a strong and dominant set piece and quick recycle of possession to generate front foot ball and momentum. Donaldson is a good attacking player from what I have observed, but you're only as good as your forwards. Hopefully the Force's playmakers get sufficient possession to create some doubt and havoc in the Rebel's defence.
piru
Roar Rookie
We haven't even kicked off yet, how about we assume the best
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Piru, I am positive it could be much worse if they play like they did last week. If you can’t even win your own ball in a line-out and give away penalties at each scrum…
Lucky
Roar Rookie
I did like Crons message about fixing the stupid little mistakes from last week's game and bouncing right back with this one! Trouble is the Rebels are basically saying the same thing lol. This could actually be a bit of a cracker :rugby:
piru
Roar Rookie
Jesus guys have a little bit of positivity
piru
Roar Rookie
I disagree, I think he makes the right decision more often than not, it's not a bad thing that he's got an attacking mindset.
Lucky
Roar Rookie
Yes, like a slow motion accident unfolding where we don't like what we're seeing but can't look away either. I'll be trying to keep my blood pressure from spiking during this one :thumbup:
Lucky
Roar Rookie
Thank you, that makes sense
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Leota had 14 runs for 51m carried and 3 defenders beaten and great post contact meters. 12 tackles for 0 misses and 1 turnover won. He was one of the best back rowers in the comp in Round 1.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
We need a 10 and 9 with a run first mentality against the big Rebels pack. Last thing we need is a kicking contest. Cron picked White and Donna instead of Fines and Burey. We will get better when the bench comes on but would have lost the game by that point. I am certainly not impressed by Cron’s coaching – we make basic mistakes and play very dumb rugby.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
All of these players have gone forwards actually. All came unheralded and left better players. Reece Hodge as an example was unsigned by any other team at 21. The Rebels signed him and he went on to develop into a 63 test Wallaby. Your comments about him are pretty disgraceful. He built a good test career and was selected by multiple Wallaby coaches. Perhaps your assessment of him is wrong?
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
The Force should play adventurous running rugby but picked White and Donno… expect lots of penalties a snoozefest and an easy Rebels win.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
If you are a Force supporter you need to consider not to watch this live. It may not be good for your health. Donna will be struggling behind a weak pack, while Gordon will get so much ball and forward momentum that he will look like a Wallaby. Next year we should only recruit forwards.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
G'day Train, I see the point you're making here, and agree. The Rebels have had some great players on their roster, and many haven't gone backwards. Some have even gone forwards. But, you started your list with Reece Hodge. Reece, bloody, Hodge. The slowest outside back, with the least attacking ability, of any player ever to play professionally. He is a great guy and a brilliant team man (from all accounts) but one of the best things to happen in Aussie rugby recently was Hodge's decision to move overseas. Thank god for that.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Exactly. He definitely showed great promise. But he was a long way from flawless.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The test almost certain to be at the MCG. They sold out Marvel Stadium last time for the test. I wouldn't read much into the tour game. Could easily replace the Rebels and hold a different tour game in Melbourne. If the test is at the MCG half the crowd will be touring fans or Lions fans anyway, so without any local supporters they would still fill Marvel.