Hansen urges Wallabies to relieve Carter Gordon of goal-kicking burden after Ireland defeat

Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen has urged the Wallabies to find an alternative goal-kicker to Carter Gordon, arguing the returning fly-half will be better served without that pressure after Australia fell 33-31 to Ireland in Sydney.

Gordon, making only his second start since switching back from the NRL, produced some bright moments — including an eye-catching line break — and contributed to several first-half tries as the Wallabies led by as many as 12 points. But a combined four missed shots at goal between Gordon and Ben Donaldson ultimately proved the difference in a thriller that could have gone either way.

“I really like Gordon,” Hansen said on the Rugby Unity podcast. “It’s just interesting seeing him coming back from his time in league and he’s a real confidence player. I’m not sure I’d want him to be the goal kicker the whole time, I reckon just let him play and take that burden off him, and bring it back later on.”

The debate over Gordon’s kicking role will be put on hold for now. The Wallabies confirmed this week that the 10-Test playmaker has been ruled out of upcoming Nations Championship matches against France and Italy with a calf strain.

Hansen reserved particular praise for lock Josh Canham, who made his first run-on appearance for Australia and delivered a commanding 58-minute shift alongside Western Force captain Jeremy Williams. The pair disrupted Ireland’s lineout repeatedly — a notable achievement against a side that prides itself on set-piece dominance — and Canham capped his performance by setting up a try before scoring one himself.

“He really disrupted the Irish lineout and they really back themselves as a set-piece team, Ireland,” Hansen said. “The second half scrum, I thought Australia scrummed really well too in the second half.”

The Wallabies will look to respond when they host France at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. Les Bleus arrive having narrowly lost to the All Blacks in Christchurch, setting up a compelling contest between two sides looking to regroup.

Australia will also be without flanker Tom Hooper, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Exeter Chiefs forward’s absence comes the same week it was announced he has signed a deal to return to Australian rugby with the Queensland Reds from 2028.