Wallabies: Star duo ruled out of Nations Championship encounter against France
The Wallabies have lost the services of Carter Gordon and Tom Hooper (inset) to injury.
Australia will be without the services of fly-half Carter Gordon and utility forward Tom Hooper when they take on France in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash in Brisbane.
The duo sustained injuries during the Wallabies’ 33-31 defeat to Ireland in Sydney last weekend with Gordon and Hooper sustaining calf and shoulder ailments respectively.
Gordon’s injury worse than initial prognosis
Gordon limped off after 57 minutes against Ireland, with the initial prognosis suggesting it was cramp, but scans have picked up a further injury and he will also miss Australia‘s Nations Championship clash with Italy in Perth on July 18.
Hooper played on the blindside flank against Ireland after coming off the bench in the latter stages of the second half on his return from PREM Rugby outfit Exeter Chiefs.
“After cramping during the Test against Ireland, scans have revealed Carter Gordon has suffered a calf strain and won’t be available for the next two Tests of the Nations Championship,” read a statement from the Wallabies camp.
“Tom Hooper has also been ruled out with a shoulder injury.”
Ben Donaldson the favourite to replace Gordon
Western Force playmaker Ben Donaldson is the favourite to replace Gordon in the Wallabies run-on side.
Donaldson last started a Test in 2024 against Argentina and came off the bench in the loss to Ireland, twice missing penalties late, including a tough long-range effort after the full-time siren for the victory.
His elevation to the starting line-up would likely see uncapped Brumbies fly-half Declan Meredith come onto the bench.
Meredith was called into his maiden Wallabies squad after delivering some fine performances during the recent Super Rugby Pacific campaign where he started the majority of the Canberra-based outfit’s matches ahead of 2025 Test debutant Tane Edmed.
Meanwhile, new Western Force recruit Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, who played for the Reds between 2023 and 2026, has been drafted into the Wallabies squad as further cover.
For Hooper, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has several options to cover him on the bench.
This includes Brumbies number eight Charlie Cale and Western Force flankers Carlo Tizzano and Nick Champion de Crespigny.