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<\/p>\nSPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies will be forced into another playmaking reshuffle after flyhalf Carter Gordon was ruled out of the next two Tests with a calf injury.<\/p>\n
And influential forward Tom Hooper, who was seismic off the bench against Ireland, will also miss Saturday\u2019s Test against France in Brisbane due to a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old Gordon, after being substituted with cramp in Saturday\u2019s 31-33 loss to Ireland, was set to have his fitness tested in Tuesday\u2019s session at Ballymore.<\/p>\n
But the Queensland Reds\u2019 No.10, who battled leg issues during the Super Rugby Pacific season, was unable to take the field and subsequently scratched from Saturday\u2019s clash and next week\u2019s Test in Perth against Italy.<\/p>\n
Gordon combined brilliantly with halfback Ryan Lonergan in a new partnership in Sydney, with the Wallabies\u2019 expansive offence opening up a 12-point lead that was ultimately mowed down.<\/p>\n
Hooper, who starred for Exeter in England this year, was physical in his arrival after half-time in a like-for-like substitution with the rampaging Rob Valetini.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Replacement flyhalf Ben Donaldson took control in the final quarter of the Test once Gordon limped off and missed two long-range penalty attempts that would have clinched the game.<\/p>\n
Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith is also in camp and poised for a debut in Brisbane on Saturday.<\/p>\n
It continues the musical chairs theme at the Wallabies, who were unable to settle on a consistent playmaker during last year\u2019s rollercoaster campaign.<\/p>\n
Gordon was seriously injured during a stint in the NRL with Gold Coast, hospitalised with a spinal fluid leak, and has endured nagging leg injuries since returning to rugby a year ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe played really well,\u201d teammate Fraser McReight said of Gordon.<\/p>\n
\u201cDevastated for him, but I guess injuries are a part of rugby and we\u2019ve always said, \u2018next man up\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got Donno and Dec, both had great seasons pushing their case.\u201d<\/p>\n
The story continues below\u2026<\/p>\n
McReight argued that Donaldson\u2019s 20 Tests and Meredith\u2019s experience at the Brumbies with halfback Lonergan meant there would be continuity regardless.<\/p>\n
The flanker pointed to the 12 penalties conceded against Ireland \u2013 11 in their own half \u2013 as key to Australia\u2019s downfall and has urged his side to be more clinical in Brisbane, particularly if they build a lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we had them by the throat we didn\u2019t go for the kill in the last five, 10 minutes of the first half,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we\u2019ve got them, keep them down. Be cool, calm \u2026 Joe [Schmidt] talks about being blue-headed, not red-headed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss was an interested observer on Tuesday as he prepares to take over following next week\u2019s Test against Italy in Perth.<\/p>\n
Kiss had a say in the Wallabies\u2019 squad picked by Schmidt for this three-Test Nations Championship swing.<\/p>\n
But he stayed well clear of the squad in Sydney and will only observe from the shadows in Brisbane and Perth before taking the reins ahead of an Osaka Test against Japan on August 8.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a different feeling around the group, but that [handover\u2019s] in four weeks\u2019 time and we\u2019ve got a job to do this weekend and next,\u201d McReight said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Six Nations champions France are expected to make some changes to the side the All Blacks pipped by two points in Christchurch on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Winger Damian Penaud (calf) has returned home injured, but nine players who contested the Top 14 Final have bolstered the touring party.<\/p>\n
Among them are hulking New Zealand-born, Australian-raised lock Emmanuel Meafou \u2013 who played club rugby at Brothers with several current Wallabies \u2013 and Toulouse playmaker Romain Ntamack.<\/p>\n
Meafou could take the place of Canberra product and former Waratahs and Brumbies lock Tom Staniforth, who could come off the bench after starting in his French debut against New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Flyhalf against the All Blacks, Matthieu Jalibert has a calf issue and is in doubt to face Australia.<\/p>\n
Either the Bordeaux playmaker or La Rochelle\u2019s Antoine Hastoy could shift to fullback and make space for Ntamack in the No.10, with Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang a favourite to earn a spot on the wing.<\/p>\n
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