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Fissler Confidential: Smith, Morgan and Suaalii linked with mega moves
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Ex-Wallaby’s ‘honest’ assessment of Carter Gordon’s goal-kicking struggles
By Finn Morton
Former Australian fullback Greg Martin has had an “honest” conversation about the Wallabies’ woes ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup, saying the team is “in a lot of trouble.”
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Rising star Carter Gordon was handed a lofty responsibility ahead of the sports showpiece event with coach Eddie Jones only picking one flyhalf in the Wallabies’ 33-man squad.
Gordon, 22, has only played five matches in Wallaby gold – including three starts – and is yet to steer the Australians to victory within the cauldron that is Test rugby.
Playing against the All Blacks at the world-famous MCG in late July, Gordon had an off-night – and it all started with a missed penalty attempt at goal; a shot that appeared to be relatively routine.
Gordon’s goal-kicking woes have carried into the World Cup, with the young playmaker missing four of five shots at goal during the 41-17 loss to France at Stade de France on Saturday.
“(Eddie) keeps on telling us, keeps on telling our nation to ‘believe in me’ and, oh he’s a wily old dog,” Greg Martin said on The Platform.
“Can I be honest with you for a second? For all his intelligence… at World Cups, whoops, we forgot to pick a goal-kicker!
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“Because we all know the history of the nine World Cups, every team had a magnificent five-eighth and goal-kicker. We’ve got a (22-year-old) who can’t kick.
“We’re in a bit of trouble. We’re in a lot of trouble.”
Gordon, it seems, will continue to goal-kick for the Wallabies in the weeks and potentially months to come. The other option to wear the No. 10 jersey is utility Ben Donaldson.
But Gordon is Eddie Jones’ first choice, clearly. The Brisbane Boys’ College Old Boy has been handed the keys to the Wallabies’ attack and has been tipped to turn his form around.
Melbourne Rebels assistant coach Tim Sampson revealed that Gordon was a regular wearer of the “blue blazer” at Rebels training throughout pre-season.
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“We have a competition with our goal-kickers in the pre-season and like the Masters gold has a green jacket for the winner, the lads went out and bought a blue blazer from the op-shop and have a weekly competition and whoever got the highest percentage would take the blazer home and Carter kicked very well and got to wear that jacket,” Sampson told AAP.
“He struck them well against France and they were only just shaving the uprights but they were important in terms of scoreboard pressure.
“He works extremely hard and I’m sure he will be doing that.”
