‘There’s no better time’: Jones throws keys to rookie Wallabies for Bledisloe clash
By Iain Payten
Eddie Jones described rookie No.10 Carter Gordon as a mix of two World Cup-winning five-eighths after naming the two-Test playmaker in his starting side to meet for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash at the MCG on Saturday.
Gordon was one of a number of rookies given key roles in a highly inexperienced Wallabies starting side, which contained seven changes from the one that lost to Argentina and will take on the All Blacks with just 350 collective Test caps.
It is one of the most inexperienced Wallabies run-on sides since Robbie Deans named a team to play Italy in 2009 in Melbourne with 198 Test caps between them - including George Smith with 97 caps.
With Michael Hooper not back from injury, one-Test Brumbies forward Tom Hooper was named in the No.7 jersey; a position he has only ever played once before at a professional level.
In other changes, fullback Andrew Kellaway and No.13 Jordan Petaia return to the starting side after injuries, prop Angus Bell and lock Nick Frost will both start and halfback Tate McDermott will get only his second start in two years, alongside Gordon.
On a comparatively experienced bench with 351 Test caps, Jones has James Slipper, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Rob Leota and Richie Arnold in reserve to finish the game, along with prop Taniela Tupou, who will play his first Test since rupturing his Achilles tendon on the spring tour last year.
Carter Gordon and Tom Hooper will both have key roles against the All Blacks.Credit: Getty
It accords with Jones’ proclivity for picking a stacked bench of “finishers” against New Zealand, but up against a full-strength All Blacks and with a potential crowd of 85,000 - which would be the biggest rugby attendance since the Wallabies’ last game at the MCG in 2007 - there will be steel-bending pressure on the green Wallabies run-on side.
But Jones said the inexperience was part of his selection strategy, with minimal Bledisloe scarring.
“You’ve got to get out of the gates against New Zealand - so we’ve picked a young team,” Jones said. “I don’t think I’ve ever picked a younger Test team. I think we’ve got 290 (sic) caps in the starting 15.
“The All Blacks I’d say have close to 1000. So, we’ve got a young team out there, ready to take them on, with not much past history. Just ready to play and we want to play Australian rugby, and then we’ve got a very experienced bench.”
Tom Hooper taking the ball up in training.Credit: Getty
After using Gordon from the bench in the first two TRC games, Jones backed the 22-year-old to handle the huge occasion, saying he has similar toughness to former Springbok Butch James, and an attacking glide like Stephen Larkham.
“It’s a Bledisloe Cup game, it’s his home town, it’s the best place he can debut. There’s two things here, there’s the Bledisloe Cup and building for the World Cup. So I’m trying to do two things at once. This week’s the right one to do it and there’s no better time than against the Kiwis.
“He’s improved immeasurably even in the short time he’s been with us.
“To me, if you look back at players, past tens, he’s got a bit of Butch James’ defence, he’s a tough kid and he’s got a bit of the glide Larkham had. He can take the ball at pace, he’s got a good long pass, he’s got a good short passing game.”
Eddie Jones bits of Stephen Larkham and Butch James (inset) in Carter Gordon.Credit: Getty
In opting for Tom Hooper and a bigger body at openside, Jones overlooked Fraser McReight and the traditional Australian on-ball flanker. The Brumbies utility forward has only played no.7 once in professional footy, in the semi-final against the Chiefs. He was injured playing no.6 in his Test debut in Pretoria.
“And I think the best game I saw from an Australian 7 was Tom against the Chiefs,” Jones said. “The Chiefs were obviously a very good team in Super Rugby and the way he competed hard at the breakdown against those guys was first class.
“We just feel it’s a battle of the breakdown, we didn’t get enough pressure on the Argentinean breakdown last week and we feel Tom can do that job for us.”
The job won’t be easy, despite Kiwi captain and noted breakdown pest Sam Cane being ruled out with injury. He still have to deal with new skipper Ardie Savea and the impressive Blues flanker Dalton Papalii, who is the only change to the All Blacks side that beat the Springboks.
Allan Alaalatoa, who will captain the side for the first time in Australia, said Hooper is an impressive player.
“He’s a big boy, but someone that works hard. He works hard, he’s got a big engine. He’s always willing to learn, he’s always out there doing his extras, he’s always in the coach’s pocket asking questions, but he’s always trying to get better and that’s a perfect attribute to have as a young man who strives to be the best,” Alaalatoa said.
Wallabies team to play New Zealand, MCG, 7.30pm Saturday
1. Angus Bell (21 Tests)
2. David Porecki (12 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (acting captain) (66 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (10 Tests)
5. Will Skelton (26 Tests)
6. Jed Holloway (11 Tests)
7. Tom Hooper (1 Test)
8. Rob Valetini (32 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (23 Tests)
10. Carter Gordon (2 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (53 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (43 Tests)
13. Jordan Petaia (25 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (4 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (21 Tests)
Interchange
16. Jordan Uelese (17 Tests)
17. James Slipper (129 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (47 Tests)
19. Richie Arnold (2 Tests)
20. Rob Leota (14 Tests)
21. Nic White (61 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (78 Tests)
23. Izaia Perese (3 Tests)
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