Wallabies team: Winners and losers as ‘long-term prospect’ set to make debut while fly-half ‘saga’ takes new turn

Joe Schmidt has announced his Wallabies team to take on France in Paris on Saturday night. Here are our winners and losers from his selection.

Winners

Carter Gordon

Overlooked last week, he’s back in the squad at the expense of James O’Connor. Having returned from rugby league just recently, Gordon was forced off the field early in his Wallabies return due to injury. He appears to have recovered now, and has been given the wheel to drive his side forward back into the fast lane against France.

Jeremy Williams

Perhaps fortunate to keep his spot after a poor performance last week against Ireland. He failed to make himself known in the lineout, the carry, or in the tackle, so he will need to figure out a way to get more involved this weekend.

Jake Gordon

Another starter who failed to show his best side in Dublin. Gordon missed as many tackles as he made and struggled to get much purchase in attack. The 32-year-old will want to gain more control of the match against what is expected to be a fast and ferocious French outfit. 

Kalani Thomas

It’s a debut in waiting for the young scrum-half who many see as a long-term prospect for the number nine position. At just 23 years old, Thomas sits behind Tate McDermott in the pecking order at the Queensland Reds, but has often impressed with his regular appearances off the bench. With youth on his side, he’ll be hoping to use this weekend to make a real impact on a global stage moving forward.

Dylan Pietsch

Back in the squad after suffering from vertigo, the powerful winger will want to make a real impact, as he lines up against the world-class talents of Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France. The Western Force star was one of the standout players against the British and Irish Lions in the summer, so he has what it takes to compete with the very best.

Tane Edmed

The Brumbies fly-half has been retained in the 23 after struggling to make an impact on the backline in any of his previous appearances and falling foul to multiple errors. Schmidt clearly sees promise in the 25-year-old, however, and a solid cameo could restart his bumpy international career.

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Losers

James O’Connor

Saga number 374 in the Wallabies fly-half debate, as the talented O’Connor once again fails to keep hold of his shirt for two consecutive matches. Dropped after failing to gain control against Ireland, JOC has been removed from the 23 entirely.

Filipo Daugunu

After struggling to impress last Saturday, he’s been reduced to the bench in favour of Pietsch. The powerful winger was muffled by the Irish last weekend, so he will hope that against a tiring French side, he’ll have more of an impact off the bench.

Rob Valetini

An important attacking weapon last week, Schmidt has reduced him to a substitute appearance this Saturday. Although his giant impact from the bench could be tactical, no player would choose a replacement spot over a starting one. Valetini has had to make way for the impressive Tom Hooper, who moved onto the flank from lock, with Nick Frost taking his place in the middle of the lineout.

Nick Champion De Crespigny

Out of favour still, having not made a fleeting appearance since the Wallabies’ disappointing loss to England. The 29-year-old made a late arrival on the international scene, and after being named as captain for the opening match of the Autumn Internationals against Japan, it looked as though he had settled in well. Schmidt, it appears, has since changed his mind on the Western Force player, who has once again been snubbed.

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