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'I don't think I got it wrong, mate': Eddie Jones burns 'rubbish' question on Carter Gordon
Just days after being pummelled in a try-conceding tackle that will live in Bledisloe Cup folklore, Tate McDermott has been handed the Wallabies captaincy for the return clash in Dunedin.
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Australia will field its seventh-least experienced XV at Forsyth Barr Stadium as coach Eddie Jones continues his regenerative path on the road to the Rugby World Cup next month.
Jones has turned to 24-year-old halfback McDermott to lead Australia against the All Blacks on Saturday and he will become the 86th Wallabies skipper.
“Tate’s got all the attributes to be a great captain of his country,” Jones said.
“We’re definitely remodelling the team. We need to change the team from where we’ve been and part of it is definitely the leadership aspect.”
McDermott was buried by Scott Barrett after a lineout near the goal-line in just the third minute of Australia’s 38-7 loss at the MCG, allowing Shannon Frizell to score, but Jones backed him to bounce back in Dunedin.
“He’s a tough little bugger,” Jones said.
McDermott is the fourth different captain in Jones’ four Tests on his return as Wallabies coach, inheriting the role from prop Allan Alaalatoa who suffered a ruptured Achilles last weekend.
Longtime skipper Michael Hooper remains sidelined with a calf issue, while another of Australia’s regular leaders, James Slipper, will start on the bench.
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Jones said he would re-assess the captaincy in coming weeks ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France starting next month.
Receiving the armband completes a remarkable turnaround for McDermott, who was overlooked by Jones in a 33-man training squad back in April.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last two years and I’ve learned a lot in the last month,” McDermott said.
“Just how quickly we can solve problems is probably the biggest one I’ve learned.
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“I’ve got a lot of people around me to help me support and play my best footy.”
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
0
Draws
0
Wins
5
Average Points scored
20
36
First try wins
20%
Home team wins
40%
Saturday’s Test looms as a mighty challenge for an inexperienced side.
Jones has named an unchanged backline but overall, the starting XV has just 277 caps – the seventh-lowest total in the professional era.
Pone Fa’amausili will earn a first Test start, named at tighthead prop in place of Alalaatoa with Taniela Tupou also unavailable through injury.
Richie Arnold comes into the starting team at lock alongside Nick Frost with Will Skelton dropping to the bench while Fraser McReight is introduced as openside flanker and Tom Hooper shifts to the blindside.
Jones is sticking by 22-year-old Carter Gordon at five eighth after his shaky night with the boot in his starting debut last weekend and the coach hit back at critics.
“I don’t think I got (selection) wrong, mate. In fact, I’m going to get it right,” Jones snapped.
“To say that as a young No 10 in his first game [as a starter], ‘you’ve got it wrong in selecting him’ is just a load of rubbish mate.
“So anyone who asks that question doesn’t know anything about rugby.
“If you know anything about rugby you know that No 10s need time in the seat. If you don’t know anything about rugby then don’t talk to me.”
The Wallabies haven’t won against the All Blacks in New Zealand for 22 years (28 Tests).
McDermott was two years old when the Wallabies last defeated the All Blacks across the ditch, a 23-15 win that also came in the South Island university city, at the now-demolished Carisbrook.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments