The Wallabies face another setback as Carter Gordon has been ruled out of their forthcoming Test against France due to a persistent quad injury. Gordon, recently returned from rugby league, had only just secured his second start back with the team but was forced to withdraw on Friday, deepening the side’s injury troubles.
Hooker Billy Pollard is also sidelined with a hip pointer injury, ending his streak of consecutive appearances this year. Pollard was one of only two Wallabies to have played all 15 Tests in the season so far. Coach Joe Schmidt has had to make urgent adjustments with Matt Faessler and Josh Nasser stepping up to fill the hooker roles.
Tane Edmed has been promoted to start at flyhalf in place of Gordon, while Hamish Stewart comes onto the bench. Edmed’s record as starting No.10 includes one win and three losses, and he has yet to fully convince in this critical position. Schmidt’s selection challenges at flyhalf have been persistent, with nine different players starting there across fifteen Tests, mostly due to injuries.
This injury crisis compounds a difficult European tour, where the Wallabies are at risk of a first-ever four-Test sweep on European soil since 1958. The team also faces the prospect of losing 10 matches in a single season for the first time, underscoring the challenges of the campaign.
Despite these hurdles, the Wallabies still have a chance to improve their ranking. A victory over European champions France by at least 16 points could secure a top-six spot, significantly benefiting their 2027 World Cup draw prospects. However, stability in key positions remains elusive with injuries and recent squad changes, including the departure of veteran James O’Connor after the Ireland defeat.
Coach Schmidt had hoped Gordon’s return would spark fresh energy, but recurring injuries have limited his impact. The upcoming Test in Paris will test the depth and resilience of the squad as they strive to avoid historic lows on this difficult tour.
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