Wallabies rookie set to start amid sudden injury crisis

Exclusive: A playmaking crisis is looming ahead of Joe Schmidt’s penultimate Test in charge of the Wallabies - with Declan Meredith firming for a shock debut.

A day after No.10 Carter Gordon was ruled out of the July international window, nine.com.au can reveal that his replacement, Ben Donaldson, also has a calf injury and is in major doubt to take on France in Brisbane on Saturday.

Both Gordon and Donaldson reported calf issues after the heartbreaking loss to Ireland, and the latter is being viewed as a 50-50 proposition for France at best.

It’s understood that Donaldson - who missed two late penalties in the 33-31 defeat in Sydney - failed to complete Tuesday’s training session.

The injury cloud means the Wallabies will recall Tom Wright at fullback despite Jock Campbell’s brilliant return from a four-year Test hiatus.

Campbell is believed to be firming to wear the No.22 jersey and provide back up at fly-half and fullback.

Western Force-bound Harry McLaughlin-Phillips joined the Wallabies on Monday as extra playmaking cover.

If Donaldson is indeed ruled out, Meredith, 27, will be catapulted into the starting side to make his debut in the No.10 jersey.

Born in Cairns, Meredith moved to Canberra in 2019 and almost gave up his professional dream two years later before being urged by his family to persist.

Campbell, who has occasionally slotted in at No.10 for the Reds, would remain on the bench as experienced cover.

“Over the past couple of years, he’s (Schmidt) wanted me to explore that a little bit and Les (Kiss) has given me that opportunity, so it’s just trying to add some strings to your bow - and I’m comfortable playing there,” Campbell said before the Ireland Test.

“At the Reds I’ve done it a fair bit, especially when the boys have been away. I really like playing there. It’s obviously a fair bit different to 15, (you’ve got to be) a lot more vocal there.”

In better news, halfback Ryan Lonergan is understood to be fit after being forced off late in the first half against Ireland.

The sudden mini-injury crisis is far from ideal for the Wallabies, who have lost eight of their last nine Tests.

They will take on a French side coming off another Six Nations title in March before their own gut-wrenching defeat last weekend, losing 34-32 to Dave Rennie’s new-look All Blacks.

Fabien Galthié also has his own selection headache, but it’s a welcome one and not because of injuries.

He must choose between Bordeaux star Matthieu Jalibert and Toulouse’s Top 14-winning playmaker Romain Ntamack in the No jersey.

Jalibert started last week alongside last week’s captain and goal-kicker Maxime Lucu. Galthié may be tempted to play either Jalibert or Ntamack at fullback to get both talented men in his XV.

Schmidt at least has plenty of options up front to pick from despite Tom Hooper’s shoulder injury.

Breakaway Fraser McReight will have his work cut out slowing down France’s giant pack.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the outstanding No.7 said he was “devastated” for his Super Rugby teammate Gordon.

“He played really well,” McReight said of Gordon’s showing last week.

“I guess injuries are a part of rugby, and we’ve always said next man up in this space, and we’ve got Donno and Dec, two boys who have had a great Super season and have been pushing their case, so we still got some continuity there.

“Donno’s played a fair bit of Tests now and been a part of this group for a while, and obviously Dec has played a lot of football with the Brums boys, who make up a big contingent of this Wallabies group. So excited for them both.”

Schmidt will name his side on Thursday.

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