Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon glad to do ‘whatever the team needs’

Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon is happy for fullback Ben Donaldson to again be Australia’s goalkicker against Fiji.

Carter Gordon is happy for Ben Donaldson to be Australia’s first-choice goal-kicker. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon is happy for Ben Donaldson to remain Australia’s first-choice goalkicker after the fullback’s impressive display with the boot against Georgia.

With Gordon’s goalkicking radar having been off before the Rugby World Cup, Donaldson was brought into the Wallabies’ starting team last weekend at the expense of fullback Andrew Kellaway, primarily for his kicking.

And it paid dividends, with Donaldson kicking six goals – three conversions and three penalties – and scoring two tries as the Australians started their World Cup campaign with a 35-15 win over the Georgians in Paris.

It was a performance that delighted Carter, and it’s hard to see Donaldson relinquishing his goalkicking duties in the Wallabies’ battle with Fiji in Saint-Etienne on Monday morning (AEST).

Ben Donaldson starred with the boot against Georgia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Ben was kicking really well during the week and he was happy to do it on the weekend (against Georgia) – that was it really,” Gordon said.

“It’s the same role regardless on the field, it’s just whoever kicks is different. Whoever kicks, it doesn’t really matter.

“It’s always good having another kicking option in the backline. That’s always going to relieve pressure pretty much regardless of what team you’re in.”

In terms of kicking in general play, it was a tactic the Wallabies used a lot against Georgia.

However, a similar kicking strategy is unlikely against the destructive Fijians, who can’t afford another Group C defeat after a first-up 32-26 loss to Wales.

“We wanted to play down their (Georgia’s) end, play that territory, but we’ve definitely got some different systems in place (for the match against Fiji),” Gordon said.

“I like both (styles). Whatever the team needs, I’m happy to do.”

Gordon will have a new starting partner in the halves, with first-choice halfback and vice-captain Tate McDermott to miss Monday’s natch after being forced off against Georgia due to a head knock that resulted in concussion.

The experienced Nic White is expected to start in the No.9 jersey, with the other option being Western Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.

Gordon said “not too much” would change with him partnering White instead of McDermott.

“We stick to the systems on how we want to play, so we all have roles within that,” he said.

“I listen to ‘Whitey’ and he listens to me the same way me and Tate would out there.”

Powerful prop Taniela Tupou is set to miss Monday’s match with a hamstring injury.

However, Wallabies assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan said props James Slipper (foot) and Pone Fa’amausili (calf) would be available for selection after missing the win over Georgia.

“Slipper and Pone are back today and they trained – no worries,” Broncan said.