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Genia's replacement brought in for Wallabies must-win Test with Ireland
By Rob Lancaster
Australia have called up Jake Gordon as a replacement for fellow scrum-half Will Genia, who will be out of action for six weeks with a fractured arm.
Genia underwent surgery on Sunday after suffering the injury during the second Test against Ireland in Melbourne on Saturday, a match the tourists won 26-21 to level the three-match series.
His absence is not only a blow for the Wallabies ahead of a decider in Sydney but also the Melbourne Rebels, with the 30-year-old now likely to sit out the remainder of the Super Rugby season.
Gordon has flown back from Japan - where he had played in an exhibition match for the Waratahs - to join up with the squad.
The 24-year old is yet to earn his first Test cap, after his initial squad call-up a year ago during the 2017 June Series.
Head coach Michael Cheika is expected to promote Nick Phipps to the number nine shirt in Genia's absence.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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