Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Wallabies could be forced to shuffle their playmaking deck yet again as they prepare to face France in Brisbane.
Flyhalf Carter 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, did not warm up with the team and had not joined the full squad to begin training before media were ushered from the arena.
Gordon had paired 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.
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, should Gordon be ruled out.
That would continue the musical chairs theme at the Wallabies, who were unable to settle on a consistent playmaker during last year’s rollercoaster 5-10 campaign.
Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss was an interested observer on Tuesday as he prepares to take over from Joe Schmidt 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.
Meanwhile, France are expected to make some changes to the side the All Blacks pipped by two points in Christchurch on Saturday.
Winger Damian Penaud (calf) has returned home injured but nine players who contested the Top 14 final have bolstered the touring party.
Among them are hulking New Zealand-born, Australian-raised lock Emmanuel Meafou and Toulouse playmaker Romain Ntamack.
Meafou could take the place of Canberra product and former NSW Waratahs and Brumbies lock Tom Staniforth, who debuted for France against New Zealand.
Flyhalf against the All Blacks, Matthieu Jalibert could shift to fullback and make space for Ntamack in the No.10, with Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang a favourite to earn a spot on the wing.
