Rugby news: Can Eddie Jones’ Wallabies pull off shock Bledisloe cup upset win over All Blacks?

Another test, another raft of changes. If the Wallabies can pull of a Bledisloe Cup win this weekend it will truly be one of the biggest upsets in rugby history, writes Jamie Pandaram.

Carter Gordon has been thrown in the deep end, like many other young Wallabies before him. Picture: Getty Images.

If the Wallabies can pull of a Bledisloe Cup win this weekend it will truly be one of the biggest upsets in rugby history.

New five-eighth Carter Gordon had a 0-4 record against Kiwi teams in Super Rugby Pacific this season playing for Melbourne Rebels, with an average losing scoreline of 45-25.

He’s been thrown in at the deep end, like so many Wallabies playmakers before him. The 22-year-old is a fine prospect with intelligent instincts and enthusiastic defence, but unless his forwards stand up he’s on a hiding to nothing.

Carter Gordon has been thrown in the deep end, like many other young Wallabies before him. Picture: Getty Images.

Coach Eddie Jones has made seven from changes from the team that lost to Argentina, while the All Blacks have just one difference from the starting XV that demolished South Africa, with Dalton Papalii coming in for injured captain Sam Cane.

Jones is still experimenting while rival Ian Foster is finetuning.

Both of Australia’s captains won’t start; Michael Hooper is injured, and James Slipper has been benched. Allan Alaalatoa will skipper the side at the MCG.

Jordan Petaia hasn’t played a game of rugby for nearly three months after injuring his wrist for Queensland Reds. He starts in the key defensive position of outside centre, following the shoulder injury to Len Ikitau against the Pumas.

Eddie Jones has made another raft of changes after the loss to Argentina, with seven new faces in the squad. Picture: Getty Images.

Andrew Kellaway has been rehabilitating a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of the opening two Tests. He starts at fullback in place of Tom Wright, who has been dropped from the squad entirely.

Tate McDermott starts his first Test of 2023 at halfback, with veterans Nic White and Quade Cooper benched to make way for the fresh new pair.

One-Test backrower Tom Hooper, who injured his shoulder in his debut against the Springboks, returns to disrupt the All Blacks’ breakdown ball.

It seems a bridge too far that all of these new players and combinations will somehow come together for a perfect 80 minutes of unified rugby, when years of experience tell us the opposite is more likely.

The All Blacks have started the Test season like Usain Bolt down the straight, while the Wallabies have looked more like a Belgian shot-putter attempting a hurdles race.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks have made just one change from the team that demolished South Africa. Picture: Getty Images.

Jones is already prepared for the bleak prospect of heading into the World Cup without a win.

What he needs to see from this selected group is the ability to make plays under the immense pressure that will come from the Kiwis.

The Wallabies have been falling short for years when the time comes to nail the key moments.

They don’t have to win this game in the greater scheme, but they must prove they’re capable of mustering an attack that is unpredictably sharp, while containing their opponents’ raids and counter-attacks.

They need something to build a World Cup campaign from.

The Wallabies forwards have been bullied by the Boks and Pumas.

If they don’t aim up against New Zealand, Gordon will be left floundering, as will any masterplan Jones has for France.

Originally published as Rugby news: Can Eddie Jones’ Wallabies pull off shock Bledisloe cup upset win over All Blacks?