Wallabies coach Kiss explains thinking behind latest fly-half change

Ben Donaldson hasn’t started a Wallabies match at fly-half in practically two years to the day, but the 24-Test utility will get that opportunity this weekend after swamping spots with Carter Gordon.

Gordon wore the No. 10 jersey in wins over Japan’s Brave Blossoms in Townsville and Los Pumas at Jujuy’s Estadio 23 de Agosto, but the Queenslander has shifted to the bench for the second match in South America.

Donaldson will instead get the chance to start for the first time since September 8, 2024, which was also against Argentina. It’s part of a much-changed Wallabies lineup, which includes the return of regular skipper Harry Wilson at No. 8.

‘Dono’ becomes the third Wallaby to start at fly-half in four matches under coach Les Kiss, with Declan Meredith getting that opportunity against Japan in Osaka. Kiss has explained the decision, but first insisted that Gordon is fine.

“We wanted to make sure we saw the 10s, all of them in some form,” Kiss told reporters.

“Decky had a good run early with three Tests. Carter’s come in, Dono’s had the bench there.

“He’s had a great season, Dono, and we felt it was just an opportunity to make sure he just feels Test rugby again as we move into the rest of the season.”

Donaldson emerged as a starting option for the Wallabies during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, lining up at either fullback or fly-half. The playmaker got another start the following July against Georgia, which the Aussies won 40-29 in Sydney.

But the 27-year-old has been an impact player off the bench almost exclusively since, other than that one other start against Los Pumas. Donaldson has come off the pine in 13 consecutive appearances, but will streak will come to an end in Mendoza.

“The guys have had a good look at me and the new coaching team. We’ve had a good look at them,” Kiss added.

“The three 10s that are here have been very good all year. They’ve been exceptionally good in camp here and they’ve all had an opportunity to contribute on and off the pitch.

“Thinking forward, we definitely star to narrow down our options for sure. With the competitive pressure, certainly puts some interesting decisions for myself to come up with the coaches about what we do play going forward.

“I’d say that’s in every position at the moment. Our backrow, our centres, our 10. [Ryan Lonergan] has probably locked away that nine [jersey] at the moment with his goal-kicking, those sort of things.

“There’s a lot of consistent spots that’s given us a chance t be able to work out a few options in depth in other positions.”