Rookie halfback Jake Gordon has continued to impress NSW Waratahs Head Coach Daryl Gibson after his two-try effort on Saturday night.
Gordon, a product of Canterbury Rugby Club in Sydney’s western suburbs, has notched up five tries from nine appearances this season for the Tahs in the Vodafone Super Rugby series.
Starting halfback Nick Phipps, who boasts 52 Test caps for the Wallabies, was subbed off for his 23-year-old Sydney University counterpart after sustaining a sprain to his lateral ankle.
“I am really pleased with Nick. I thought he was really fast to the ball and gave excellent service. The speed of the game was certainly was very good,” Gibson said.
Following Gordon’s brace of tries against the Highlanders in Dunedin, Gibson said he rated both of his halfbacks’ performances highly.
“Obviously, he (Gordon) continues to keep performing well,” said Gibson.
“Then I thought when Jake came on, he added some real impact there and he got the reward for that.”
Gibson expressed some concern over Phipps’ injury.
“He’s due for an X-ray on Monday,” said Gibson. “At this stage we are not sure if that is going to be a week-long injury or longer, but at the moment he is walking around pretty freely.
“I don’t expect him to be out for long, if at all.”
In the event that Phipps is ruled out, Gibson has a handy replacement in his back pocket in Matt Lucas, who has been plying his trade in club land with the undefeated Manly Marlins.
“With Matt there, it’s an easy one if Nick doesn’t pull through.”
The NSW Waratahs are currently training in Queenstown in preparation for their next match against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium, Hamilton on Saturday night.