Wallabies prepare for French lesson after being dealt double blow

Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 6:43 AM
Murray Wenzel - AAP
by Murray Wenzel - AAP
Highlights from the Wallabies' Nations Championship Round 1 clash with Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

The Wallabies are prepared to deal with the loss of Carter Gordon and Tom Hooper as they keep their focus on France in Brisbane on Saturday.

Gordon was ruled out of the next two Tests with a calf injury and influential forward Tom Hooper, who was seismic off the bench against Ireland, will also miss Saturday's Test due to a shoulder injury.

Watch every second of the 2026 Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Gordon, after being substituted with cramp in Saturday's 33-31 loss to Ireland, was set to have his fitness tested in Tuesday's session at Ballymore.

But the Queensland Reds' No.10, who battled leg issues during the Super Rugby Pacific season, was unable to take the field and subsequently scratched from Saturday's clash and next week's Test in Perth against Italy.

Gordon combined brilliantly with halfback Ryan Lonergan in a new partnership in Sydney, with the Wallabies' expansive offence opening up a 12-point lead that was ultimately mowed down.

Hooper, who starred for Exeter in England this year, was physical in his arrival in a like-for-like substitution with the rampaging Rob Valetini.

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.

Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith is also in camp and poised for a debut in Brisbane on Saturday night.

It continues the musical chairs theme at the Wallabies, who were unable to settle on a consistent playmaker during last year's rollercoaster 5-10 campaign.

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.

"He played really well," teammate Fraser McReight said of Gordon.

"Devastated for him, but I guess injuries are a part of rugby and we've always said, 'next man up'.

"We've got Donno and Dec, both had great seasons pushing their case." 

McReight argued that Donaldson's 20 Tests and Meredith's experience at the ACT Brumbies with halfback Lonergan meant there would be continuity regardless.

The flanker pointed to the 12 penalties conceded against Ireland - 11 in their own half - as key to Australia's downfall and has urged his side to be more clinical in Brisbane, particularly if they build a lead.

"When we had them by the throat we didn't go for the kill in the last five, 10 minutes of the first half," he said.

"When we've got them, keep them down. Be cool, calm ... Joe (Schmidt) talks about being blue-headed, not red-headed."

Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss was an interested observer on Tuesday as he prepares to take over following next week's Test against Italy in Perth.

Kiss had a say in the Wallabies' squad picked by Schmidt for this three-Test Nations Championship swing.

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.

"It's a different feeling around the group, but that (handover's) in four weeks' time and we've got a job to do this weekend and next," McReight said.

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