Wallabies Recall Playmaker Carter Gordon for Scotland Test
Australia coach Les Kiss has restored Carter Gordon at flyhalf and Rob Valetini in the back row for the Nations Championship Test against Scotland in Edinburgh, as the Wallabies chase an end to three straight defeats.
Australia coach Les Kiss has named Carter Gordon at flyhalf and Rob Valetini at number six for the Wallabies' Nations Championship Test against Scotland on Sunday (Monday AEDT). The Wallabies recall playmaker Carter Gordon after Declan Meredith was dropped from the match-day 23 following last weekend's defeat by England.
Australia are chasing an end to three straight losses. Kiss called Gordon "the incumbent" before the injury that ended his September run against Argentina.
Gordon back at No 10
The number 10 shirt has become a revolving door. Seven different starting flyhalves have been used since the last World Cup.
Gordon returns from a broken leg, the latest of several injuries to interrupt his progress. Meredith looked lost in the defeat by England, according to the Guardian's match coverage.
"Carter will bring his flavour, he will bring his voice, the way he loves to play the game," Kiss said. "He loves to carry the ball forward, loves to change direction, and he's got a savvy eye for the space and kicking game as well, so it'll be different."
Valetini starts again
Kiss has stopped using Valetini, a two-time John Eales Medal winner, as an impact substitute. He starts in the back row with Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.
"He's going to make a difference, that's for sure, the momentum he can build," Kiss said. He added that Valetini had a very good session on the day and "really lit it up".
Suaalii shifts to centre
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii moves from the left wing to inside centre, alongside Len Ikitau. Isaac Henry's tour-ending injury forces the change. It is the sixth successive midfield-partnership switch Kiss has made.
Kiss trusts the pair's experience of 17 previous Tests together to tighten a defence that has conceded 138 points in the three defeats.
Suaalii took heavy criticism this week, notably from former England wing Chris Ashton, who claimed he did not know what he was doing in union. Kiss dismissed it.
"This man is a team man, team first, he's quality," Kiss said. "That man will do everything for us, and we back him to the hilt."
Fans losing patience
Kiss knows supporters at home are frustrated. He was told critics on social media were telling people not to bother watching early on Monday morning.
"This group are passionate," he said. "We have to step up to the expectations that we have, and when we do that properly, I think we meet the expectations of most people."
Wallabies: Angus Bell, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Carter Gordon, Harry Potter, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu.
"This team will do what they need to make sure that people are proud of them," Kiss said.
