Melbourne five-eighth Carter Gordon could emerge as a Rugby World Cup bolter with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones saying selection remains wide open.
The 22-year-old is one of the form playmakers of the Super Rugby Pacific competition, named player of the match in the Rebels’ pulsating 40-34 victory over Queensland on Saturday night.
Likened to a young Stephen Larkham both in stature and raw ability, uncapped Gordon has impressed with his his fearlessness in attack, his passing and kicking game, while he also defends strongly in the front line.
While Quade Cooper had hold of the Wallabies’ No.10 jersey until his Achilles injury last year, other options such as Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio and Reds veteran James O’Connor have been in and out of the side.
Youngster Ben Donaldson made his Test debut on the UK Spring tour but the faltering form of the Waratahs hasn’t helped his case.
Jones told reporters that he wouldn’t discount players from the World Cup due to age or inexperience.
He mentioned NSW outside back Max Jorgenson, who has also had a breakout season.
“It’s not too late for anyone,” he said when asked if it was too late for Gordon to make a case for selection with the France tournament in six months time.
“I’m not going to comment about specific players at this stage but I think we’re looking out for players who want to be selected.
“Kearnsy (ex Wallaby Phil Kearns) was talking about Jorgensen.
“He’s come through, he’s 18 years old, and he could play in the World Cup.
“There’s no reason he couldn’t play in the World Cup and there’s a couple of others like that.
“I think every position is wide open.”
Jones is set to select his first training squad for a camp next month and could look to include Queensland born and raised Gordon even just to give him a taste of the Wallabies environment.
Melbourne coach Kevin Foote praised the players around Gordon for helping him to flourish this season, including the hard-hitting forwards who have been providing such quick ball.
But he also said Gordon, who was mentored by ex-Wallaby Matt Toomua while he was at the Rebels, had stood up.
“Carter is leading so well and his goal kicking and line kicking, there’s a lot of pressure on him and he’s doing really well,” Foote said after the Reds match.
Meanwhile, Jones said he would use the April training camp to start to work out who will captain the Wallabies through to the game’s showpiece.
Australia’s longest-serving skipper Michael Hooper has said he was ready to resume the position after he relinquished it before an Argentina Test last year to take a mental health break from the game.
Veteran prop James Slipper took over in his absence.
“April will be the first time I get the players in front of me,” Jones said. “Then I’ll be able to have some idea about who can be the best captain or the best captains for the team.”
