Like most players in his position, Wallabies halfback Jake Gordon possesses a sharp memory. It can be used to remember intricate plays, a referee’s interpretation, or in his case, a painful reflection of the last time he faced Ireland two years ago.
After a shock defeat to Italy the week before, the Wallabies arrived in Dublin in need of a response that could get coach Dave Rennie’s tenure back on track. On 78 minutes, the Wallabies trailed 13-10 with a lineout throw metres from Ireland’s try line.
Gordon can still give a pained play-by-play commentary.
“It’s probably not one of my fondest memories,” Gordon said. “I ended up giving the penalty away in the last minute, I was on the wing, not that that’s an excuse.
“I do remember it well. I hit the maul incorrectly. It was going to be a try, so I hit it with everything I had and there was a penalty. I’ve gone, ‘Surely, it’s maybe a penalty try?’ and I’ve turned around and they go ’22’ and I’m like, ‘Oh god, that’s me!’ Anyway, hopefully, better memories this weekend.”
Gordon cannot wear blame for the defeat, given the Wallabies had another opportunity a minute later before knocking the ball on, but the anecdote highlights the fine margins that can dramatically change the narrative in Australian rugby.
Dave Rennie and Jake Gordon after the Wallabies’ loss to Ireland in 2022Credit: AP
Despite beating Wales the following week, it was not enough to keep Rennie’s job, which led to the decision to hire Eddie Jones.
This weekend’s game against Ireland does not bring the same amount of pressure to the Wallabies. But a win in Dublin can still provide enough optimism to power the Wallabies through to next year’s British and Irish Lions tour, especially given Ireland will supply the head coach and a majority of the squad.
Gordon believes his side’s performance in their 14-point defeat against Scotland at Murrayfield was inconsistent with the improvements made under Schmidt.
“We believe we’re improving, we’re probably pretty disappointed with the game over the weekend,” Gordon said. “I wouldn’t say [we] went backwards, but definitely weren’t where we thought we needed to be for that game [against Scotland] … Our discipline was off, we let in far too many penalties, especially on the defensive side of the game.
The expected return of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has boosted the Wallabies in DublinCredit: Getty Images
“We couldn’t really get our attack going … had some misses in defence and then compounded with some poor decision-making which led to them I guess getting access into our 22, and they took their opportunities in that second half.”
The Wallabies are expected to recall breakaway Fraser McReight and centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the starting lineup against Ireland to deal with the increased physicality they are expecting.
Gordon and his teammates have been boosted by the news that Suaalii’s wrist is not broken, and the halfback is relieved that the centre is also his clubmate.
“He adds quite a lot, the aerial threat he brings to the game. I think you saw very early on the weekend, especially that England game, I guess his ability to get the restarts back, he’s a big, tall, strong guy, he can sort of get his hand free in contact and he goes bloody hard as well,” Gordon said.
“Like if he’s going to run, he’s going to run hard, he tackles hard too like you saw on the weekend, but I think his adjustments has been unreal, I think he’s looked right at home.”
The Wallabies are staying in the quieter outer suburbs of Dublin, giving the team ample time to spend together away from the compact city centre with flags flying all over advertising the game from pubs and lampposts.
As a fellow first-time tourist with the Wallabies, prop Isaac Kailea has enjoyed spending time with Suaalii off the field and has found a man that plays as hard on the pitch as he does at the card table.
“It’s kind of weird, he’s very mature and he’s super competitive,” Kailea said. “So any games, you know, card games, especially this guy [Jake Gordon] organises, he’s very competitive, [he] always wants to win.
“And, I think you see that out in the field, he’s mature, competitive and yeah, quite chill as well, which is a bit of a weird mix, but I think he sorts it out.”
