'It's bittersweet, you watch and you'd love to be a part of it'

Scrumhalf Jake Gordon says it’s been bittersweet watching the Wallabies post some famous wins without him, and he’s eager to join in on the fun with a drought-breaking victory at Eden Park.

Gordon injured himself on the eve of the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in August.

It meant not only did he miss that win in Sydney a few days later, but also the Wallabies’ drought-breaking triumph against South Africa in Johannesburg, and the last-gasp victory over Argentina in Townsville.

Gordon has been deemed fit to return for Saturday night’s blockbuster clash with the All Blacks in Auckland.

New Zealand are undefeated in their past 51 matches at Eden Park, with that record featuring 49 wins and two draws.

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Their last loss at the venue was in 1994 when they suffered a 23-20 defeat to France. Australia’s last win against New Zealand there was in 1986.

But with the Wallabies on the rise and the All Blacks having suffered their heaviest-ever Test defeat last week – a shock 43-10 loss to South Africa in Wellington – there’s a feeling Australia might be in with a chance.

“Their incredible record at home at Eden Park is something definitely you wouldn’t take lightly,” Gordon said on Friday.

“All teams have days when they are not as competitive as they’d like to be. But they’ve been at the top of their game for a very long time.

“I’m obviously excited (to be back). To see some of the performances the team has put together has been pleasing.

“It’s bittersweet, you watch and you’d love to be a part of it but it’s been great to watch them build and play some really good performances.

“I’m happy now to be a part of it and excited for the two games ahead in Auckland and Perth.”

All four nations in the Rugby Championship boast 2-2 records, but Australia sit on top of the table on 11 points after picking up three bonus points across their four games.

It means the Wallabies have a legitimate chance to take home the trophy for the first time since 2015, but they face a tough end to their campaign with Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup games against the All Blacks at Eden Park and Perth’s Optus Stadium.

The Wallabies will be aiming to bounce back from last week’s 28-26 loss to Argentina in Sydney.

Gordon’s recent seven-week absence meant fellow scrumhalf Nice White, who was meant to walk off into the sunset after the British and Irish Lions series, had to be coaxed out of retirement to help fill the void.

White has played some of his best rugby across the first four games of the Rugby Championship series, but it’s meant an extra workload at home for his wife Melissa.

“He told me Mel wasn’t too happy with me originally because he was going to be spending a little bit of time at home with the kids,” Gordon said with a laugh.

“I thought the way Whitey’s played – he’s played incredible … Tate (McDermott) has been playing great off the bench.”

With Gordon back in action, White has officially retired – again.

Veteran playmaker James O’Connor has been retained for the Bledisloe Cup campaign, despite only leaving Australia for London on Monday to link with his new club Leicester.