Sir Steve Hansen’s take on Wallabies’ ‘confidence player’ Carter Gordon

Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen has suggested the Wallabies should consider another goal-kicking option at least some of the time, as Carter Gordon continues to build back into Test rugby after a stint in the NRL.

Gordon was named in the Wallabies starting side for just the second time since returning from a stint with the Gold Coast Titans in rugby league, tasked with steering the team around the park in a Nations Championship clash with Ireland.

The 10-Test fly-half made an eye-catching line break during the first half and played a part in a few Wallabies tries in the first half, but some missed shots at goal ultimately proved pivotal as the hosts lost a thriller 33-31 in Sydney.

Goal-kickers Gordon and Ben Donaldson missed four shots at the poles between them, including a 0-2 start after early tries to Dylan Pietsch and Jock Campbell. But the Queenslander made the next two, as the Wallabies led by as much as 12 during the first half.

The Wallabies announced in a social media post this week that Gordon has been ruled out of the upcoming matches against France and Italy due to a calf strain. But when the playmaker returns, Hansen would like to see another Wallaby take on some of the goal-kicking duties.

“It was a high-quality game and it could have gone either way,” Hansen said on the Rugby Unity podcast.

“I really like Gordon. It’s just interesting seeing him coming back from his time in league and he’s a real confidence player. I’m not sure I’d want him to be the goal kicker the whole time, I reckon just let him play and take that burden off him, and bring it back later on.”

Hansen was full of praise for now three-Test Wallaby Josh Canham, who was named in the run-on side for the first time last week. Canham packed down in a new-look second row with Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams, with the two combining well at the set-piece.

The Wallabies stole multiple lineouts on Ireland’s throw, with the headgear-wearing lock wreaking havoc during a 58-minute shift. Canham helped set up an early try with some link-up play, before crossing the line for a five-pointer himself soon after.

“He really disrupted the Irish lineout and they really back themselves as a set-piece team, Ireland,” Hansen added.

“The second half scrum, I thought Australia scrummed really well too in the second half.”

The Wallabies will look to bounce back at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, taking on a French side that is coming off a closely fought defeat against the All Blacks at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

Gordon isn’t the only Wallaby who has been deemed unavailable, with Exeter Chiefs enforcer Tom Hooper out with a shoulder injury. It was announced on Wednesday that Hooper has penned a deal back in Aussie rugby with the Queensland Reds from 2028.