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Eddie Jones’ assessment of ‘young 10’ Carter Gordon after Fiji defeat
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones picked “a young team” for the Rugby World Cup, and there may be no player who has borne the responsibility of the side’s inexperience than Carter Gordon.
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Gordon, 22, debuted in Wallaby gold during The Rugby Championship and went on to start both Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks. But the biggest surprise was yet to come.
Coach Jones decided to omit veteran Quade Cooper from the Wallabies’ World Cup squad, and instead picked young Gordon as the only Australian listed as a flyhalf in the 33-man group.
But the playmaker has struggled at Test level, and that includes Australia’s two World Cup matches so far. Gordon was replaced about 10 minutes into the second half of Sunday night’s loss to Fiji.
Gordon conceded a few turnovers within the first 30 minutes of the clash, and also failed to complete a tackle out of two attempts. The first half an hour summed up Gordon’s tough night in Saint-Etienne.
But coach Jones has backed the flyhalf to bounce back, just as he did after Gordon’s tough starting debut at the world-famous MCG in July.
“We needed to get some moment in the game. I thought (Issak Fines-Leleiwasa) Fines did that, (Ben) Donaldson at 10 did that, Mark (Nawaqanitawase) going to 15 did that, and Suli (Vunivalu) scored us a try that put us back into the game,” Jones told reporters on Sunday.
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“I thought they were positive changes that we made.
“Carter is a young 10, he’s going to have those days mate. I think I’ve said this before, he’s going to have those days but he’ll bounce back, he’s a good young player.
“We’ve gone with a young team. I’ve got no regrets at all,” Jones added. “We’ve building a team for the future and we’re going to go through some pain, and some of the younger players are going go through some pain.
“That’s generally how you have an apprenticeship. (Carter) He’s got plenty of support.’
The Wallabies showed signs of improvement during the final quarter of the Test, but in truth, the match was already all but lost.
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Fiji had raced out to a commanding 22-8 lead with about 15 minutes to play, and time waits for no man. The clock beat the Wallabies as the Flying Fijians held firm in defence for a historic win.
That victory – which was Fiji’s first win over Australia since 1954 – saw Jones’ Wallabies fall to an undesirable record of one win from seven Tests this year.
The result leaves the men in gold on the brink of what would be the Wallabies’ worst-ever record at a World Cup. If Australia fails to beat Wales in Lyon next weekend, they won’t make the quarter-finals.
“I’ve made the decision to go for a young team and if that’s the wrong decision then I’ll be held accountable for that.
“I think Australian rugby needs to move on to a younger team and I’m prepared to experience some pain to through it; to leave Australia with a team that’s capable of doing really well at a World Cup.
“That’s not to say that we can’t do that. We’ve had a bit of a setback today but that’s all part of being in a World Cup.
“I do remember South Africa lost a game and won the World Cup so funnier things have happened.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Farrell playing in France next season better get use to play acting .
3 Go to commentsNot sure I see the magic. Solid flanker but the aggression and lack of bending at the hips leads to boo boos
4 Go to comments100%. Thank you, Andy.
1 Go to commentsFabulous player. Don’t know if people outside of Ireland appreciate his vision and genius. I wish he got more time with the National team. We will never know how high he could have soared. Super season to end with!
1 Go to commentsIf he's playing well enough to be in the top 2 or 3 open sides, then pick him. Essentially nothing else should come into it.
1 Go to commentsBe really surprised if Beale is considered for a WB squad, let alone a match day 23. Feel there are too many younger players in all positions in the backline now who should be developed. These upcoming games this year should be used to develop the players of the future, for building towards next RWC.
2 Go to commentsI think this all came from Fozzie immediately anointing Cane as captain when he became coach, well ahead of when any team was to be named. Then he seemingly felt unable to retract the captaincy as that would have been an admission he was wrong initially. Sam Cane was a good AB and a good captain. Through his injuries and some loss of form he maybe didn't deserve selection but Fozzie couldn't ever make that hard call which led to Cane copping it.
4 Go to commentsThe extra weight that Fraser put on over the off season is really showing. The word is 7/8 kgs heavier than last year. Feel he is now carrying into contact a lot more powerfully, which makes him a bigger threat playing in the sh position at lineout time. I do feel however that he is still too easily moved off the ball at the breakdown unless he is in really early. Comparing him to the top current guys such as Tommy Refell, and past supremos like Pocock and McCaw, I would hope he will develop more in that area. The rest of his game is way out front. His speed around the field as a support player is top notch, and his defence is very sound, apart from the front on tackle on the bigger men sometimes. I also would see him as a future WB captain. He does a lot of quiet encouraging, and for sure can lead from the front. Of the other three NZ lads on the stats. table, would think it may be Papalli’i who gets in. I do like Lakai. Is Blackadder not more a 6/8 player ? Actually really rated Lachlan Boshier, but he was not ever getting anywhere, so now in Japan. Would love to have seen how he went in a AB jersey. Excellent article, Nick…….most thought provoking
45 Go to commentsAhh too many OK 7’s out there at the moment, would have loved to have Harmon (and Boshier from Panasonic) included on that list (although I don’t know what I’m looking at with those stats!). I would love to see another 7 come through like Cane (who VdF has molded off), who was a real attacking machine before his neck injury and inability to turn his head/upper body to pass or catch properly forced his style to change. No sure McReight is it, he looks more like a canny McCaw than the blasters Hooper and Cane were. The real issue is what use can Schmidt mold out of his ability and skills in just two short seasons. I think Cale could do a lot of the more skillful stuff. McReight is probably best to knuckle down and do the core duties a modern day Cane performs for the other two loosies (if he’s the best Schmidt has to play with at 7).
45 Go to commentsI’ve little doubt that England is comfortably the No 1 team and not only beat other teams but beat them easily. Not so sure about France. They should be No 2 after winning 3 of last 4 matches against NZ and only a straightforward missed kick prevented it from being 4 out of 4. However, then they inexplicably lost to Canada and Wallaroos in WXV. I thought the NZ match was their “cup final” and they took the others lightly, but they were not particularly impressive in 6N except in flashes. I think they have stood still whilst Canada and England have moved forward but I don't think Canada has the depth and their team is ageing. I agree NZ not moving forward. What will be interesting is how the Wallaroos fare against NZ and then again in their September match against Ireland and then in WXV2 against other 6N teams. I was surprised they lost to USA.
6 Go to commentsI don't know why peoplenare upset here. If foreign fans think they are poor for their clubs and back it up with stats then it's probably true. Snyman would have been a legend in the NH if he was fit though. He just transforms Munster into a winning machine. Pollard is 100% the most disappointing one and his win rate outside world cups gives a good indicator. For all his clubs his average win rate is around 52%, inbetween world cups for the Boks it's 55%. Compared to other elite flyhalves who have 70%+ win rates for their clubs. If anything Manie is a far better investment if you looking for a flyhalf given that when he is on the pitch teams on average win 76% of games.
70 Go to commentsWhich captains were not human?
4 Go to commentsIt left him open to savage sledging most memorably POMs ‘Sh1t McCaw’ comment which prompted a national NZ meltdown. Cane was later substituted in that game. He had some redemption in the RWC quartfinal against Ireland but unfortunately he will be remembered for torpedo-ing his team with that red card in the final with NZ already 12-3 down.
4 Go to commentsThere should be a smaller number of teams cut off to play finals after the regular season, of course. However, with all due respect, the Crusaders aren’t playing well enough to even make that cut. They may have a late rally, if they can get some key players back from injury, but this is still a speculation as it stands. They will still have to rely on other results going their way too - their season is now entirely out of their control.
10 Go to comments1 week for two cynical and dirty plays? Absolutely pathetic punishment. He should’ve at least received 2 weeks - 1 week per trip. The guy is a cheating moron and liability. He should go back to league.
2 Go to commentsTest rugby is different level Some players are just big time players when the stakes are high they play better. The boks often lost to AUS on tour as they wanted to beat AB. Even at school level this is the case where some guys play better in tough games.
70 Go to commentsLet’s hope he misses more than just the Force game or the Reds won’t get very far in the finals.
2 Go to commentsThanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead. A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
45 Go to commentsNZ is now entrenched in Div 2 of womens rugby. Canada would be thrashed by the likes of France or England. Europe are Div 1, with massive competitions, massive money…
6 Go to commentsBlackadder dies not deserve selection. He has not played enough games. Finau is just better. Kaino's replacement at Blindside On form TJ should be the starting 9 .
130 Go to comments