Gordon in Wallabies as Lynagh is rested, Lord in for injured Vaa'i as All Blacks name squad
SQUADS ANNOUNCED: Carter Gordon of the Titans attempts to break through the defence aganist Wests Tigers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Flyhalf Carter Gordon has been drafted straight into the Wallabies squad just a couple of hours after his return from rugby league was announced on Monday as Tom Lynagh is being rested for the end-of-season tour of Japan and Europe.
Gordon was released from the last year of his contract with the Gold Coast Titans and will resume his career in the 15-man code on a tour that features tests against Japan, England, Italy, Ireland and France.
The Wallabies will face Ireland on Saturday November 15 (8.10pm) at the Aviva Satdium in Dublin. After their narrow 22-19 loss to Andy Farrells' side last year in a celebration match commemorating 150 years of Irish Rugby, Joe Schmidt will be hoping to claim a win in his old stomping ground.
Lynagh, who started in the number 10 shirt in all three tests against the British & Irish Lions and one Rugby Championship clash this season, has been given a chance to recover fully from a few niggles.
"We've taken a long-term view with Tom Lynagh, who is still just 22-years-old," said coach Joe Schmidt.
"He has had a few injury frustrations since the third test versus the Lions in early August and will follow an individualised programme ... which will allow him to recover to full fitness."
Tane Edmed is the other flyhalf named in the squad with James O'Connor, who played all six Rugby Championship tests, having joined up with his new club Leicester.
Flanker Tom Hooper and centre Len Ikitau, two of Australia's best players this season, have also departed for England to join Exeter, while lock Will Skelton has returned to his French club La Rochelle.
Overseas-based players might link up with the squad during the tour, but not for the Japan clash on October 25 and England test on November 2 as they fall outside of the international window.
Former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross and 23-year-old Queensland Reds scrumhalf Kalani Thomas are the only two uncapped players in the squad.
Loosehead Ross, who was born in Australia, returns to the Wallabies squad in the wake of the retirement of James Slipper and Thomas earned a call-up in the absence of his injured Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott.
"The squad and staff have had a brief chance to catch their breath after what has been a dense and attritional test season so far," added Schmidt.
"The challenge certainly doesn't get any easier with five consecutive tests on the road against high-quality international opposition ..."
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Elsewhere, lock Josh Lord has been called up as a replacement for injured forward Tupou Vaa'i as the All Blacks name their squad for their November tour of the United States and Europe.
Vaa'i, who requires knee surgery, and prop Tyrel Lomax, who has a broken thumb and is replaced by the uncapped Tevita Mafileo, were New Zealand's major injury losses after the Rugby Championship campaign.
As expected, flyhalf Beauden Barrett, winger Caleb Clarke and prop Ethan de Groot were all included in the 36-man squad despite missing New Zealand's last outing against Australia in Perth because of injury.
Lord was preferred to Sam Darry and uncapped lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi as a replacement Vaa'i, whose physical presence and versatility has made him one of the most influential All Blacks forwards this season.
New Zealand play Ireland in Chicago on November 2 followed by test on the following weekends against Scotland in Edinburgh, England at Twickenham and Wales in Cardiff.
"There is a lot of history that has led up to this opportunity for our group, so we will be honouring and taking inspiration from the feats that have come before us" All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.
"The rematch against Ireland at Soldier Field will be a huge occasion, and then facing some of the northern hemisphere's best at their home grounds is a fantastic challenge for us. We are looking forward to this very special tour."
: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Pete Samu, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
: Filipo Daugunu, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Carter Gordon, Jake Gordon, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Corey Toole
: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Tevita Mafileo, Scott Barrett (captain), Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson
: Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Leroy Carter, Will Jordan, Ruben Love
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