Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon is comfortable for Ben Donaldson to stay Australia’s first-choice goalkicker after the fullback’s spectacular show with the boot in opposition to Georgia.
With Gordon’s goalkicking radar having been off earlier than the Rugby World Cup, Donaldson was introduced into the Wallabies’ beginning crew final weekend on the expense of fullback Andrew Kellaway, primarily for his kicking.
And it paid dividends, with Donaldson kicking six objectives – three conversions and three penalties – and scoring two tries because the Australians began their World Cup marketing campaign with a 35-15 win over the Georgians in Paris.
It was a efficiency that delighted Carter, and it’s onerous to see Donaldson relinquishing his goalkicking duties within the Wallabies’ battle with Fiji in Saint-Etienne on Monday morning (AEST).
“Ben was kicking really well during the week and he was happy to do it on the weekend (against Georgia) – that was it really,” Gordon mentioned.
“It’s the same role regardless on the field, it’s just whoever kicks is different. Whoever kicks, it doesn’t really matter.
“It’s always good having another kicking option in the backline. That’s always going to relieve pressure pretty much regardless of what team you’re in.”
In phrases of kicking typically play, it was a tactic the Wallabies used quite a bit in opposition to Georgia.
However, the same kicking technique is unlikely in opposition to the damaging Fijians, who can’t afford one other Group C defeat after a first-up 32-26 loss to Wales.
“We wanted to play down their (Georgia’s) end, play that territory, but we’ve definitely got some different systems in place (for the match against Fiji),” Gordon mentioned.
“I like both (styles). Whatever the team needs, I’m happy to do.”
Gordon can have a brand new beginning companion within the halves, with first-choice halfback and vice-captain Tate McDermott to overlook Monday’s natch after being pressured off in opposition to Georgia on account of a head knock that resulted in concussion.
The skilled Nic White is predicted to start out within the No.9 jersey, with the opposite choice being Western Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
Gordon mentioned “not too much” would change with him partnering White as a substitute of McDermott.
“We stick to the systems on how we want to play, so we all have roles within that,” he mentioned.
“I listen to ‘Whitey’ and he listens to me the same way me and Tate would out there.”
Powerful prop Taniela Tupou is about to overlook Monday’s match with a hamstring harm.
However, Wallabies assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan mentioned props James Slipper (foot) and Pone Fa’amausili (calf) can be obtainable for choice after lacking the win over Georgia.
“Slipper and Pone are back today and they trained – no worries,” Broncan mentioned.
Source: www.news.com.au
