The halves were a major area of discussion around the Wallabies coming into the November Internationals, with the 34-capped Jake Gordon having nearly double the number of appearances as the rest of the halves pack combined.
However, speaking to the media on Tuesday, Ryan Lonergan believes that Gordon, alongside flyhalves Tane Edmed and Carter Gordon, and the uncapped Kalani Thomas, will show their wares under pressure as the European tour progresses.
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The Wallabies have set up camp in Udine and have commenced preparations for the potential banana-skin clash that is Italy, with a loss this weekend likely catastrophic for the Australian side’s hopes of a top-six world ranking finish.
With the Azzurri pulling off a famous 28-27 victory over the Wallabies in Florence in 2022, the men in gold know that the days of underestimating the Italians are over.
Add to that, Italy has started to develop world-class players like Danilo Fischetti, Paolo Garbisi, and Ange Capuozzo, in addition to the Australian-born Monty Ioane and Tom Lynagh’s brother, Louis.
While the loss to England was a major disappointment, Lonergan added that it came with an opportunity to address key errors and find solutions.
“We had a few things [discussed in our review]… just around our spot to get into position,” Lonergan said.
“Particularly off those high balls, you know, they scored two tries. They probably had a few guys closer to the ball than we had.”
After many years uncapped in the squad, Lonergan has featured in the Wallabies’ last four matches - albeit not taking the field from the bench against Japan.
However, despite the fact that the men in gold have only won one of their last five matches, the Brumby scrumhalf believes the side is on the right track - and that, despite the lack of international game time, the current halves options can deliver on the park.
“I found it really good, really exciting,” Lonergan said of his recent game time.
“Obviously, it's probably just the step up in how many big moments there are in the game.
“You just really have to be mentally on throughout the whole 80 to be able to put out a performance that is going to get the job done, which we haven't been able to do the last couple of weeks.
“[We’re] really feeding off Jake's experience and the other guys around the group, getting together as nines and tens and trying to learn as quick as we can.”
