Wallabies turn to NRL tactic as ‘free hit’ World Cup call rubbished: Burning Questions
Since Eddie Jones replaced Dave Rennie as head coach earlier this year, Australia has suffered five consecutive Test defeats, including last week’s heavy loss to host nation France.
When quizzed on whether Australia would continue exploiting the aerial expertise of Vunivalu and fellow winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, Wallabies assistant coach Jason Ryles joked: “You haven’t bugged our meetings, have you? The Wallabies haven’t shied away from changing their attack to suit the skills of their playing roster, so Australia’s wingers could be spending plenty of time in the air throughout the World Cup campaign.
Long-time skipper Michael Hooper and veteran five-eighth Quade Cooper were axed ahead of the quadrennial tournament, discarded in favour of a younger generation of talent. Only eight members of the 33-man squad have prior World Cup experience, while only five players are aged over 30. The flying mullet was the lone fly half named in Australia’s 33-man squad for the World Cup, with utility Ben Donaldson his lone backup.
Melbourne Rebels attack coach Tim Sampson asserted that Gordon was ready for the trials and tribulations of World Cup rugby, backing the Queenslander to flourish as Australia’s chief playmaker. Jones threw his support behind Gordon after the 41-17 loss to France, but has since shoehorned Donaldson into the fullback position for Australia’s World Cup against Georgia, confirming that extra goalkicking skill was the catalyst for his shock selection.
In five Tests since Jones took over as coach, Australia has conceded 179 points, scoring less than half of that tally themselves.
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