Competition 'red hot' for Wallabies No 9 jersey
Under Dave Rennie’s halfback rotation, Jake Gordon will get his start against Italy, the team he made his Test debut against in 2018.
Having previously delivered under pressure against Italy, Wallabies halfback Jake Gordon is relishing another crack in the No.9 jersey.
With coach Dave Rennie rotating Gordon, Nic White and Tate McDermott in the starting side through their five-Test European tour, the NSW skipper gets his turn in Florence on Sunday (AEDT).
The Wallabies are looking to rebound from a last-gasp loss to Six Nations champions France, who scored a try in the dying minutes to snatch a one-point victory.
Australia last played Italy in 2018 in Padua when Gordon, on debut, was surprisingly thrust into the starting role by then-coach Michael Cheika but helped steer the Wallabies to a 26-7 win.
The Wallabies are unbeaten against the Azzurri in 18 matches.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity again Italy; I made my debut here back in 2018 so I have pretty fond memories,” Gordon told reporters.
“I thought I’d get a few minutes off the bench but I ended up starting the game … to get the opportunity and then to have a good win was awesome.”
The 29-year-old felt he’d added strings to his bow since that first outing, improving his passing and kicking game as well as his leadership skills after captaining the Waratahs.
Gordon has no qualms about the rotation policy, with Rennie up-front about his indecision on the best fit at halfback for the team for next year’s World Cup.
Gordon said he didn’t feel any extra pressure that the Italy Test start was a final audition.
“Obviously the competition is pretty red-hot at the moment,” Gordon said.
“Tate (against Scotland) and Nic (against France) both played really good games … that’s the luxury that we’ve got, we’ve got really good halfbacks in the country who are desperate to play footy.
“I just say see it as another opportunity to play well – I’m not too focused about the rotation and thinking this is my last opportunity.”
Who will partner Gordon in the halves will be revealed on Thursday with Bernard Foley at 10 for the opening two Tests.
Rennie forecast personnel changes, saying he wanted to “share the load” through the tour.
Gordon said his history with other five-eighths in the squad, and the way they trained meant the transition was fairly seamless.
“I’ve played with Donno (Ben Donaldson) the last two or three years, I’ve played four or five years with Bernard and me and Noah (Lolesio) have started multiple Tests together.
“You get a pretty good feel for guys at training, it’s not just the game so you get pretty familiar with the guys.”
He said the Wallabies were still hurting from the 30-29 loss to world No.2 France in Paris.
“Everyone’s still disappointed by that result since we dominated a lot of the game and put ourselves in a position to win it,” Gordon said.
“There were definite positives from that game – the length-of-the-field try, the forward pack did a great job throughout the night, it was just disappointing in that last five minutes we let it slip.”
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments