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Wallabies great Matt Burke has called on Carter Gordon to replace Declan Meredith in the starting side at fly-half, believing Australia a number 10 who can control the game like Damian McKenzie and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is needed.
Meredith featured in the XV game against All black people at Bledisloe II, and coach Les Kiss later highlighted the playmaker’s efforts as a “really good positive” despite the 43-21 defeat in Sydney, and retained that role against England.
The Wallabies began their spring tour with a 45-22 defeat of old foes at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium in the fourth Nations Championship round. Meredith played about 53 minutes before coming in for Ben Donaldson, and Gordon was not named in Game 23.
Gordon was selected in the First XV for the opening Nations Championship Test in July, but injury sidelined the Queenslander for the long haul. The 25-year-old broke his leg in the 28 draw against Los Pumas, forcing him to miss the Tests against the Springboks and All Blacks.
But as the Wallabies look to end a three-game losing streak, in which they have conceded at least 40 points in each defeat, Rugby World Cup winner Burke believes the Aussies will continue to “struggle” unless there is a change.
“(Gordan is) a player who can offer some kind of width with his passing. We know he has a passing game,” Burke said on Stan Sport is between two posts.
“Declan Meredith, he tried, he did well. That last stanza against New Zealand a few weeks ago, he started to find some play, some use.
“But I think Australia need someone who can control the game, maybe just a bit more. We need to see more of the No.10. We need to see Damian McKenzie, Sacha; be able to catch the ball, take the ball and control. (Marcus) Smith was exactly the same tonight, understanding what to do.
“Australia don’t handle the ball enough to go to No 10. Until they do I think we’ll struggle.”
A nine-point difference between them England and Australia seemed to flatter the visitors in London, with an interception by Max Jorgensen reducing the deficit just before the break. England scored two tries of their own earlier in the contest, and regained complete control in the second term.
Scrum-half Jack Van Poortvliet struck first, before fullback Henry Pollock went over for two tries after coming on as a substitute winger. Filippo Daugunu and Jeremy Williams hit back for the Wallabies, before England capped a dominant run with another five.
England led in 94 percent of the match, seeing them fight for possession and territory, and make more tackles. Australia conceded more turnovers, conceded more penalties and missed more breakaway attempts.
“Of the 10 biggest problems the Wallabies had in that game, who wore the 10 jersey probably wasn’t one of them,” added former Wallaby Morgan Turinui.
“Carter Gordon is the one, he’s the guy, but there’s no 10 that can really dominate the game after what they were given tonight.”
