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Wallabies confirm new-look halves duo to take down All Blacks
By Finn Morton
At just 22 years of age, rising star Carter Gordon has been given the Wallabies’ playmaking reins ahead of this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Melbourne.
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Gordon has shown glimpses of potential in two Test matches off the bench this year, and has been rewarded for his promising form bursts with his first start at Test level.
The flyhalf will start in the halves alongside another Queenslander, Tate McDermott. McDermott, who was omitted from a Wallabies squad earlier this year, replaces Nic White in the No. 9 jersey.
As well as those two changes, coach Eddie Jones has swung the axe through his team. Jones has made seven changes to the Wallabies starting side, including a change at captain.
With Angus Bell starting ahead of James Slipper, and Michael Hooper missing the Test due to a persistent calf injury, Allan Alaalatoa has been named acting captain.
Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Jordan Petaia and Andrew Kellaway have also selected in the run-on side to take on New Zealand at ‘the G.’
“We are a team that wants to make Australia proud and Saturday night is a great opportunity to light up the MCG,” Jones said in a statement.
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“A young starting 15 and vibrant, experienced finishers will give us the 80 minutes we want.
“Wallaby Rugby versus New Zealand Rugby, it’s the most important game of the year.”
Young gun Angus Bell has been trust into the starting lineup ahead of Wallabies co-captain James Slipper, and will pack down alongside David Porecki and Allan Alaalatoa.
Brumby Nick Frost joins enforcer Will Skelton in the second row, while Jed Holloway, Tom hooper and Rob Valetini round out the forwards.
The new-look halves duo of McDermott and Gordon is sure to excite Australian rugby fans, as the Wallabies look to turn their fortunes around after an 0-2 start under Jones.
Samu Kerevi and Jordan Petaia, the same pair who lined up in the Wallabies’ midfield in their quarter-final loss at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, will start at No. 12 and 13 respectively.
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World-class winger Marika Koroibete holds his place on the left wing, as does Mark Nawaqanitawase on the right, while Andrew Kellaway will start out the back.
Wallabies team to take on All Blacks
- Angus Bell
- David Porecki
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Nick Frost
- Will Skelton
- Jed Holloway
- Tom Hooper
- Rob Valetini
- Tate McDermott
- Carter Gordon
- Marika Koroibete
- Samu Kerevi
- Jordan Petaia
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Andrew Kellaway
Replacements:
- Jordan Uelese
- James Slipper
- Taniela Tupou
- Richie Arnold
- Rob Leota
- Nic White
- Quade Cooper
- Izaia Perese
If this Carter strategy at 10 backfires, it will a very bad score by half time.. There will be nothing Quade can do. Keep in mind, ABs are definitely going to use Jordie's boot from 50 early in the game; their strategy will be points points points
Angus Bell is a significant selection - Eddie will be aware that Bell embarrassed Lomax last year in the Tahs/Canes game - Lomax was subbed before half-time. Be an interesting test of Lomax's progress since then!
A good team. Only worry is a lack of speed/mobility in the backrow which could lead to some breaks down the fringes, I would rather mcreight at 7. Also would've liked to have seen philip and faessler off the bench. Dunno how often marika doesn't make the top 3 most damaging ball runners in a backline but that 11-14 is stacked, lets hope they get the ball in their hands.