Convention says the Wallabies need something new. Here’s my Rugby Championship squad

Convention isn’t going to help the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup - they’ll have to show something new against the top sides, who have effectively had their measure for the past five years.

That something new is Carter Gordon, and in particular a different sort of role for him. In picking a Wallabies 33-man squad — to be announced on Sunday — I’ve gone all in on Gordon ahead of Reece Hodge and James O’Connor.

Why? The Wallabies need one of their No.10s to show utility value, and Gordon can be that player. He is a No.10-No.12 just waiting to be moulded, a big frame who can run hard lines but also pass and kick and can give Eddie Jones a Plan B with two playmakers. Jones loves this system. He used it almost exclusively in England as he rotated through George Ford, Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith.

Samu Kerevi is clearly the first choice at No.12 — and Len Ikitau and Izaia Perese could also do a job there — but Gordon’s my change agent. I’d give him as many minutes as possible in the Rugby Championship and start him in at least one of the pool groups at No.12. The Wallabies have to innovate.

In many ways, the prevailing conditions are perfect for Jones. In cricketing terms he’s been given a lively WACA wicket against a travelling England team that can’t play bounce.

He’s got a chair who backs him unequivocally, he has the media eating out of his hands, and a huge number of already capped players to pick from after last year’s injury woes.

Carter Gordon is the agent of change the Wallabies need.Credit: Getty

But he’s right to frame it as a smash-and-grab mission because time is against him.

Rolling out the same old Wallabies squad won’t fix that, and I’ve put Tom Hooper in my squad for the same reason. He was outstanding for the Brumbies against the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend. He’s got the warrior gene, he looks fit, and to my eyes he encapsulates one part of the evolving Australian rugby identity. He’s a bit of a link to the past, a mongrel with no quit in him.

A Reds trio have changed my mind of late: Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott and Suliasi Vunivalu fronted at the back end of the season in a big way, the latter’s form upswing coinciding with Mark Nawaqanitawase’s underwhelming finish to the campaign. The Waratahs’ season has cost them several spots in my 33.

Jock Campbell is also in. He’s a pure fullback and you still need that; otherwise you risk loading up the outside backs with hybrids. Campbell also played strongly in New Zealand against the Chiefs (twice) and the Highlanders. That has to matter.

Jock Campbell has performed admirably in New Zealand to date, which must count in his favour.Credit: Getty

The unluckiest player in my squad is Fraser McReight, who doesn’t make the cut because of Pete Samu’s versatility and Michael Hooper’s experience. His omission shows that this is a hard squad to be part of — there will be some heartbroken players on Sunday because so many have had a taste of Test rugby in recent years.

Hodge, a fantastic servant, is also a touch unlucky but his defensive performance against the Fijian Drua in Suva, when opposite No.13 Iosefo Masi cut the Rebels to pieces, is a relevant consideration.

No doubt, there will be some changes over the Rugby Championship as injured players Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell come back online, while the Australia A game against Tonga will provide a chance for those who are right on the cusp.

But, there won’t be too much chopping and changing before the Rugby World Cup, and not too much keeping the powder dry. Jones will target the Bledisloe Cup Test in Melbourne, with a view to arriving in Dunedin the following week and turning up the mental pressure on the All Blacks.

He will ultimately be judged by the silverware he wins - the serious stuff is really about to begin in 2023.

Hookers: Lachlan Lonergan, Dave Porecki, Jordan Uelese.
Props: Allan Alaalatoa, Sam Talakai, Pone Fa’amausili, James Slipper, Matt Gibbon, Blake Schoupp.
Locks: Will Skelton, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Richie Arnold.
Loose forwards: Michael Hooper, Pete Samu, Tom Hooper, Jed Holloway, Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson.
Halfbacks: Nic White, Tate McDermott, Ryan Lonergan.
Five-eighths: Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Carter Gordon.
Midfielders: Samu Kerevi, Len Ikitau, Izaia Perese.
Back three: Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright, Marika Koroibete, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell.

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