In a disappointing turn of events, Carter Gordon has been withdrawn from the Australian starting lineup for the vital Test against France. Head coach Joe Schmidt named Gordon in the lineup, but he failed to recover from a thigh injury just a day before the match, leading to his replacement by Tane Edmed.
Injury Update and Team Changes
Along with Gordon, hooker Billy Pollard has also been sidelined, prompting Matt Faessler’s promotion to the starting side. Gordon, 24, was aiming for only his second Test appearance since featuring in three games during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. After a brief stint in rugby league, he returned to rugby union last month.
Gordon had previously struggled with a thigh issue during his first match back for Australia, which resulted in a 26-19 loss to Italy. Wilson expressed heartbreak over Gordon’s situation, stating, “He’s worked so hard and just hasn’t been able to catch a break.”
Looking Ahead: Tane Edmed Steps In
Tane Edmed, who plays for the Brumbies, will take on the opportunity to feature in just his ninth Test match at the iconic Stade de France. His last start was during the Wallabies’ challenging loss to England on November 1. Wilson emphasized confidence in Edmed, saying, “We’ve played a lot of footy with Tane this year, so it’s not as if it’s someone we haven’t played with.”
A Historic European Tour
As Australia faces France, the team is on the brink of a historic winless European tour for the first time since 1958. They are also in jeopardy of clocking a record 10 losses within a calendar year. “It definitely has been challenging,” Wilson remarked, highlighting the team’s desire for success.
Upcoming Rugby World Cup Implications
An additional layer of importance surrounds this match as the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will occur on December 3. If Australia can secure a victory against France by 16 points or more, they would surpass France in world rankings, affecting the seedings for the tournament.
Gregory Alldritt, the captain of France, approached these implications with a focused mindset. He noted, “We’ve worked hard this week to win,” reinforcing the idea that the seeding is secondary to their immediate objective.
