Carter Gordon to start against the All Blacks in just his third Test
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones had decided to throw a Wallabies rookie into the Bledisloe Cup cauldron as changes continue in the quest for a win.
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was at his antagonistic best as he declared one of the youngest Test teams he’s ever picked was ready to shock the All Blacks in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup opener and sink not just the Kiwi rugby team but the “whole country”.
After back-to-back losses to start his second stint as coach, Jones opted to inject rookie playmaker Carter Gordon into the starting line-up for the MCG showdown, for just his third Test, as one of seven changes to the team which lost to Argentina in Sydney a fortnight ago.
Gordon, 22, will wear the number 10 jersey in just his third Test and partner scrum-half Tate McDermott in an all-new playmaking combination, with veterans Quade Cooper and Nic White to come off the bench.
Moving Gordon, who Jones called a “tough kid” into the starting line-up is a considered decision to get energy upfront and then bring “experienced finishers” on to potentially close out what would be his first victory since taking over as Wallabies coach.
“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 caps in the starting 15.
“The All Blacks I‘d say would have close to 1000 caps so we’ve got a young team out there ready to take them on with not much past history, just ready to play.”
The actual split in Test cap numbers for the Wallabies is 350 in the starting line-up, and 351 on the bench.
But the disparity with the All Blacks is real, with the Kiwis, missing only captain Sam Cane from their best possible team, boasting 1105 tests worth of experience.
Among the other changes, Jordan Petaia returns to the team at outside centre, having fully recovered from a wrist injury to partner Samu Kerevi in the midfield.
Andrew Kellaway will also play his first Test of the year at fullback alongside Marika Koroibete and Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wings.
Co-captain Michael Hooper failed to overcome a calf injury and fellow skipper James Slipper will come off the bench with Angus Bell to start in the forward pack along with Allan Alaalatoa who will be the acting captain.
Jones was adamant those players returning from injury were ready to go and was happy to bait travelling journalists who questioned the capacity of the young Wallabies team to take down the All Blacks who have been scintillating in two Rugby Championship wins.
He called them “fans with keyboards” and suggested the expected crowd of 85,000 in Melbourne for the first clash between the two teams at the MCG since 2007 could be in for a shock.
“There‘s nothing better than Australian rugby taking on New Zealand rugby because the New Zealanders all think they’re better than us, they always have, and so we get an opportunity,” Jones said.
“There‘s nothing better than winning against New Zealand because you feel the country sinking.
“It‘s not just rugby that sinks, the country sinks, the whole economy goes down so the Prime Minister’s there with his fingers crossed hoping the All Blacks win.
“We‘ve got a bit of a job here to do so maybe put the New Zealand Prime Minister on call that the economy’s going to suffer and at the same time raise our stakes here.
“Can we put the Kiwis under pressure on Saturday ? Yes. And a lot of pressure, and maybe they’re going to get a bit of a surprise.”
The Australians haven’t hoisted the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, when Jones was last coach, but hold a 2-1 winning record over New Zealand at the MCG.
Wallabies team to play New Zealand
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)
Reserves
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)
Originally published as Carter Gordon to start against the All Blacks in just his third Test
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