The Wallabies have restored Carter Gordon and Rob Valetini to their starting crew, convinced the pair will be the difference makers as they seek to right their creaking ship in dangerous Scottish waters.
Announcing the team to face Scotland on Sunday (Monday AEDT), coach Les Kiss made it clear he sees Gordon as the playmaker who can finally nail down the No 10 role that has become the Wallabies’ maddening hot-potato position , with seven different starting flyhalves used since the last World Cup.
Now back from the broken leg that’s the latest of several injuries to derail his progress, dual-code ace Carter was given a glowing assessment by Kiss after Declan Meredith, who looked lost in the calamitous defeat by England last weekend, was dropped from their Nations Championship match-day 23.
“Certainly Carter was the incumbent, so he was in a position of strength before he got injured,” Kiss said, noting how the former NRL Titan had been gradually commanding the role before his injury against Argentina in September.
“Carter will bring his flavour, he will bring his voice, the way he loves to play the game. 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.”
But for that “different” ability to flourish, Kiss accepts there must be wholesale improvement in all other areas, with the Wallabies staring at a fourth-straight Test defeat .
It’s why Kiss has also abandoned using two-time John Eales Medal winner Valetini as impact sub and put him back at six alongside old back-row warriors Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.
“He’s going to make a difference, that’s for sure, the momentum he can build,” said Kiss of “Bobby V”.
“He had a very good session today, really lit it up. He’s got plenty in his legs to work with, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Elsewhere, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been recalled from the left wing to inside centre to rejoin Len Ikitau.
After Isaac Henry’s tour-ending injury, it’s the sixth successive midfield-partnership change Kiss has had to make but he trusts the Ikitau-Suaalii connection in 17 previous Tests will help them shore up a defence that’s leaked 138 points in their last three defeats.
Kiss also saluted what Suaalii gives to the team after a week when he suffered savage criticism, particularly from former England wing Chris Ashton, who claimed the former rugby league star didn’t know what he was doing in union.
“I was told that he had some crap on him,” Kiss said. “Lift the bat, let it go through to the wicketkeeper … because this man is a team man, team first, he’s quality.
“None of us are exempt from a bit of criticism, does it matter? I don’t think in this case it does. That man will do everything for us, and we back him to the hilt. And I back him to the hilt – as I do the whole team.”
Kiss is aware of the frustration back in Australia at the Wallabies’ woes, having been told critics on social media were suggesting not to bother tuning in to watch them early on Monday morning after their recent poor performances.
“This group are passionate,” said Kiss. “They absolutely appreciate deeply the support they get. 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.
“But there’s a lot in this team that’s bloody strong, and this team will do what they need to make sure that people are proud of them.”
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.
