Rugby Union: Gordon returns at no.10 for Wallabies’ crunch clash with Scotland
The Wallabies have called in the cavalry for their mission to restore pride against Scotland on Monday morning (AEDT), with Carter Gordon recalled to the no.10 and powerful forward Rob Valetini restored to his regular position in the starting side.
Influential loose forward Tom Hooper has also been named on the Wallabies bench for second-half impact, along with bullocking 32-Test hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa.
Responding to the Wallabies’ embarrassing loss to England at Twickenham, coach Les Kiss resisted making mass changes but he did swing the axe on two players who started in the record defeat – both no.10 Declan Meredith and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto were dropped from the 23-man squad entirely.
Ben Donaldson was named on the bench as the reserve five-eighth, and Brumbies rookie Lachlan Shaw has also been named among the replacements. Hooper’s return, after recovering from a shoulder injury, see Carlo Tizzano also drop off the bench.
As forecast, Kiss also shifted Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back into the centres, from the wing, to replace the injured Isaac Henry. He’ll re-unite with Len Ikitau in the midfield, and Kiss is no doubting hoping their partnership will fix the leaky defence of the Wallabies in the last three games.
There was no room for veteran Kurtley Beale, who was also an option to play in the centres.
Harry Potter, who made his debut for the Wallabies in Edinburgh two years ago, has been called in to fill the wing vacancy.
Gordon returns from a long layoff after breaking his leg against Argentina in early September.
Valetini comes back into the no.6 jersey, with Jeremy Williams shifting back to his usual spot at lock.
“We’ve had a good week of training but after falling short of our own expectations last week it’s vital we transfer our hard work onto the field for the 80 minutes on Sunday,” Kiss said in a statement. “Playing Scotland on their home turf is a massive Test and we’re all determined to make our supporters proud by elevating our game to the level it needs to be.”
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made two changes to his starting side, with Lions backs Blair Kinghorn coming in at fullback for Kyle Rowe, and Darcy Graham starts on the right wing in place of Jamie Dobie.
Townsend retained the exact starting forward pack from last weekend’s defeat to New Zealand, including former Wallaby Jack Dempsey at no.8.
Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
