By Marco Monteverde
Copyright news
A hamstring injury has forced Gordon to miss the Wallabies’ past five Test matches, three of which Australia has won.
Two of those wins have come in the Rugby Championship over South Africa and Argentina, with Australia sitting on top of the standings in the four-team competition.
“To see some of the performances the team has put together has been pleasing,” Gordon said.
“It’s bittersweet. You’re watching and you’d love to be a part of it, but it’s been great to watch and build, and play some really good performances.
“I’m just happy to be now a part of it, and excited for the two games (against New Zealand) ahead in Auckland and Perth (October 4).
“We haven’t rushed back, and I feel like I’m now in pretty good shape to firstly be able to train and hopefully compete.”
The Wallabies hope to end a 39-year-drought at Eden Park against an All Blacks side that will be desperate for redemption after being thrashed 43-10 by South Africa in Wellington last Saturday.
“Their incredible record at home at Eden Park is something you definitely wouldn’t take lightly,” said Gordon, who has replaced the retired Nic White in Australia’s squad.
“Teams have days where they don’t perform properly to the standard that they want. We’ve done it before, South Africa have done it, all teams have days where they’re not as competitive as they’d like to be.
“They (New Zealand) have been at the top of their game for a very long time, and we know the threat of what they can do to you on a night and we are very aware of them when they play at their best.
“We’re expecting a really good Test match.”
The Wallabies’ extended squad for the trip to New Zealand also includes veteran flyhalf James O’Connor, who is set to link with his teammates in Auckland after flying to England last Monday to join his new club Leicester.
“He’s played rugby for a long time, James. I don’t think it’s his first time doing decent travel (before) into a big game,” Gordon said.
“Guys have to go over and play big games all the time after a big travel. I don’t know exactly when James will be touching down, but he’s a guy who’s a seasoned professional, and I know he will do everything in his control to get his body right so he’ll perform if he’s chosen in that first game (at Eden Park).”
