Wallabies to double down on halves combination as Schmidt eyes wet-weather warfare
There is no sense of panic in the Wallabies camp following last week's 27-19 defeat in Brisbane, but with the series on the line, Schmidt is doubling down on the players who helped restore some credibility during a spirited second-half showing at Suncorp Stadium.
Despite calls for halfback Tate McDermott to be paired with his Queensland Reds teammate in Lynagh, Gordon is set to retain the No.9 jersey — a move welcomed by former Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps.
'I think at the moment, Tate's ability to unlock that defence at the back-end of a game is stronger than him starting and Jake trying to do that later,' Phipps said on Stan Sport's Inside Lion show.
'It's always romantic to see a good 30 minutes at the back-end of a game and demand changes. I know Tate would be constantly working to get that start, so would Jake and Nic White.'
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper added: 'I don't think he's going to [make sweeping changes]. That team he's rolled out I think he'll back them again. I'd keep Jake at nine.'
Schmidt will confirm his matchday 23 on Thursday in Melbourne ahead of Saturday's clash at the MCG.
The Wallabies are expected to retain their centre pairing of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a back line that grew as the game wore on.
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