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‘Is Eddie Jones brave enough’: Wallaby greats on bold World Cup call
With no room for Quade Cooper in the Wallabies’ 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup, coach Eddie Jones has put his faith in two young playmakers with plenty to prove.
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Rising star Carter Gordon, 22, was selected as the sole flyhalf in the Wallabies’ squad. Gordon has played four Tests under Jones, and started two of them in the No. 10 jersey.
It was a bold call from coach Jones, with Gordon set to play a key role in the Aussies’ pursuit of rugby immortality in France. But it wasn’t the only surprise.
Utility Ben Donaldson didn’t play a single minute in Wallaby gold during The Rugby Championship, but has managed to score himself a promotion of sorts ahead of the World Cup.
“You would think that if Carter Gordon is the preferred No. 10, Ben Donaldson could have a mortgage on the No. 22 jersey,” Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“Is Eddie Jones brave enough to go into a Test match without a recognised No. 10 on his bench? Can Nic White do both? Probably not.
“Who else is in the squad that could cover No. 10 in case Carter Gordon goes down five minutes into the Georgia match.”
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Donaldson, 24, has only played two Test matches – including just one start at flyhalf – but is expected to claim a spot on the bench during the upcoming tournament.
The Western Force-bound playmaker showed glimpses of promise during a stellar season with the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
But Test rugby is a completely different beast.
As former Wallaby Justin Harrison explained, it’s a “curious” selection from coach Jones.
“It’s a curious category he’s put in; utility player. He’s one of the best tens, or can be one of the best tens – let’s qualify that – one of the best tens in the country,” Harrison said.
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“He’s one of the most skilful footballers when he’s playing well. We know he’s had a bit of wobble, there has been some speed wobbles there.
“His job is to put pressure on Carter Gordon and not make him think he’s measured for the starting jersey already.”
The Wallabies take on France in Paris next weekend. For coach Jones and the new-look Wallabies, it’s their final match before taking centre stage at the World Cup next month.
Australia are 0-4 under coach Jones this year, and will be desperate to avoid a disastrous fifth defeat when they take the field at Stade de France.
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.
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