Why 'all in' Eddie Jones needs to stick to his guns and show faith in Carter Gordon
SAINT ETIENNE: Mat Rogers has urged Eddie Jones to stick with Carter Gordon against Wales despite his nightmare outing in the Rugby World Cup loss to Fiji.
Gordon was hooked in the 50th minute after his aerial air swing that allowed Josua Tuisova a crucial try in the historic 22-15 win.
Ben Donaldson moved into the chief playmaking position and is the only other option to play No.10 in Monday's (AEST) must win match against Wales in Lyon and there are critics of Gordon's last outing that are suggesting that move should be made.
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Carter Gordon during a Wallabies training session at Stade Roger Baudras. Getty
Jones opted to leave veterans Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley and James O'Connor at home.
"I would stick with Carter Gordon," Wallabies great Rogers said on Stan Sport's RWC Central.
"I'd throw him back in there and Eddie said the right thing. He's a young player and you're going to get these ups and downs with young players. It takes a while to understand that consistency at a top level but I would certainly start with him again."
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Mat Rogers on Rugby Heaven. Stan
Rogers has been a fan of Gordon throughout the 2023 season and previously expressed concern over Donaldson's defence.
Picking Donaldson at No.10 would allow Jones to recall the unlucky Andrew Kellaway at fullback.
Either way, Rogers said it was not all doom and gloom for Australia.
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"I'm excited about what this Wallabies side can do coming off that," he said.
"Eddie's been trying to protect these boys for a long time since he's taken the role. He's taken all the bullets but they need to own it.
"He can't make the decision for them at that spur of the moment, to not kick the ball, he can't go out there and make the tackle for them.
"It's up to them now to turn it around."
Rogers agreed it would have been nice to have a Cooper or Foley in the squad but Jones had "moved his chips all in."
"So as a Wallabies supporter, I'm all in as well. I want him to play better. Carter Gordon, I've seen this happen before, a young player get their opportunity too soon and it not go well.
"They've lost their confidence and I've seen it ruin players' careers.
"They've had to head over to the UK because nobody wants to touch them anymore but I don't think that's going to happen with Carter."
Jones will name his team on Friday.
Carter Gordon of Australia is tackled by Simione Kuruvoli of Fiji. Getty
"I think he's good enough," Rogers said of Gordon.
"He backed himself on the weekend. He took the line on, he ran the ball and it didn't work a couple of times. But he kept going and it is a hard position to play when your forwards don't have ascendency.
"He did his best, it wasn't good enough. He's going to have to be better this week."
