Stan Sport is your home for the Wallabies-France series and the only place to watch the All Blacks Tests and British and Irish Lions tour. Start your free trial now!<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n "I heard the worst news that it could possibly be an ACL, which was devastating at the time, especially after the year that we had.<\/p>\n "Then I got a scan on the Wednesday, walked into the Tahs and people were smiling.<\/p>\n "I was like 'that's a bit strange.' I walked into the doctor's room and she gave me the great news of only doing my MCL. It was probably the best news I've ever heard."<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Nick McArdle previews the Wallabies campaign<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Tim Horan's memories of storied rugby rivalry<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> 'Prison rules' prediction for Wallabies vs France<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Not far behind was Wallabies coach Dave Rennie endorsing Gordon as the team's starting halfback after Nic White, ironically, succumbed to his own MCL injury during a brutal camp on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n Unusually tall for a halfback, the 27-year-old Gordon has played just three Tests but has been in career best form this season despite being stuck behind a consistently beaten pack.<\/p>\n "It's really exciting," Gordon said.<\/p>\n Get your tickets now for the Wallabies' three Test series against France!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n "The last time I started a Test match was 2018 and I really want to push for that No.9 jersey. I've got great competition with Tate McDermott, Nic White and Lonners (Ryan Lonergan). Really excited to team up with Noah Lolesio.<\/p>\n "He likes to take on the line, quite dangerous around the ruck."<\/p>\n Gordon and Lolesio are an untested halves combination and France's second-string squad adds further mystery to the clash.<\/p>\n Gordon planned to alleviate pressure on Lolesio, the 21-year-old five-eighth, by stepping up with his own kicking and running game.<\/p>\n "Especially around our exits, look to take a lot of those kicks and also around the ruck," he said.<\/p>\n "I think I can challenge those forwards, the French, laterally.<\/p>\n "So if I can get the winger off my hip \u2013 I don't want to give too many clues away \u2013 but really challenge their 1, 2, 3 defenders and step up as a ball player there."<\/p>\n France are ranked fifth in the world – to Australia's seventh – and have seven debutants in their matchday squad.<\/a><\/p>\n "They're obviously a big forward pack with some really big, strong ball carriers and they're electric out wide," Gordon said.<\/p>\n "They're very dangerous off turnover ball and look for a lot of offloads.<\/p>\n "If we can limit the amount of possession we give them from unstructured, it'll be really good."<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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