Wallabies eye new leader

WALLABIES coach Joe Schmidt hailed Jake Gordon as “a leader” with the experienced scrumhalf emerging as a potential captain against the British and Irish Lions.

The Lions play Argentina in Dublin next week before heading to Australia for six tour matches and a three-Test series in July-August.

A media report last week said Gordon was set to be named skipper and Schmidt sung his praises on a visit to Western Force’s training hub in Perth.

But the New Zealander was coy when asked about the prospect of the 31-year-old NSW Waratah taking the armband.

Schmidt says: “Jake, he’s one of the leaders in the group.

“So is Nic White... and Tate McDermott has been a former [Wallabies] captain, so of the nines we had last year, they’re all leaders within the group.

“Jake is a really good skill-set, mature player, very nice kicking game, one of the sharper passers around, and he is utterly committed when he's on the grass…”

No.8 Harry Wilson was most recently captain, leading the side in seven of Australia’s last eight Tests.