By Jonathan B Geddes

GORDON No.12 Jack Hardy is following in the famous footsteps of his former Wallaby father Mitch by becoming a crucial cog in the Highlanders’ backline as they strive to cement a spot in the Shute Shield top six.

Hardy junior will be a key figure in Saturday’s showdown with Randwick at Coogee Oval, in a clash which could have massive implications for the make-up of the finals.

Since linking up with the club in round seven where his dad is a legend, Jack has been an  impressive performer, showing what he is capable of after a number devastating career setbacks.

“He just never makes a mistake. He does all the basics so damn well and is meticulous in everything he does,” Gordon coach Harry Fehily told Rugby News

Hardy signed with the Queensland when he was 18 but then in a cruel turn of events did the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee three times before the Reds eventually released him.

He resurrected his career in Canberra, linking up with the Gungahlin Eagles, winning selection with the Brumby Runners for two years and was on fringes of their Super squad.

In the last off-season Hardy headed over to spend a season playing in Ireland. That’s where Fehily contacted him through a mate and in a coup the 26-year-old came home to link up with the Highlanders.

“He’s got better as the year has gone on,” Fehily said. “I’ve moved him into leadership group in the last week or so.

“He is one of those guys who if he hadn’t had those injuries you don’t know what he could have done.”

A STUNNING DEBUT

WHEN Fehily first spoke to Hardy he was unaware Mitch was his dad, nor that Jack always wanted to play for his father’s old club.

Mitch Hardy was a talented Gordon winger who joined the Brumbies for their inaugural season in 1997.

That same year he made a spectacular Wallaby debut in the second Test against France at the SFS.

He took the field in the 60^th minute as a blood bin replacement for Stephen Larkham and scored two tries before going back to the bench.

Mitch ended up playing eight Tests in two seasons.

‘A PIVOTAL GAME’     

IN an intriguing situation Gordon currently sits in fifth spot on 46 points, one point ahead of this week’s opponents Randwick and two ahead of Norths, who play Eastwood at Bear Park.

A loss by the Highlanders could potentially see them drop to seventh place and similarly Randwick could also fall out of the top six if they are beaten.

“There is no hiding it, this is a pretty pivotal game,”  Fehily said. “There may be four games  to go, but if you lose it you are out of control of the situation and hoping other people lose.”

Fehily said Gordon is nowhere near reaching their potential, especially with the disruption caused by a heavy injury toll.

“They have a lot more to give than they have given in the last two week for sure,” he said, referring to the team’s past two losses to Eastwood and Warringah. “And it will help with a bit of stability in the team.”

A STAR IS GONE

GORDON’S task became tougher on Tuesday with the news star hooker Mahe Vailanu won’t be back after signing with a Japanese club.

Few players make a bigger impact on the Shute Shield than the Waratahs’ pocket rocket.

“He’s one of those guys who lifts everyone else in the team by 10 or 15 per cent,” Fehily said. “I was hoping he was going to be back so that is a bit of a blow.”

There is also uncertainty about when – or even whether –  Waratahs’ centre Joey Walton will be back with the club. He is currently on compulsory leave with NSW. 

The absences of the Super Rugby pair follows the club losing an entire pack of forwards in the past fortnight, including skipper Milan Basson who has torn a tendon in his calf.

British backrower Archie Hoskings has signed a contract with an English club and will be leaving after round 18.

On a positive note fullback Ben Pollock is back at Chatswood and in the squad for Saturday’s game after finishing the season with Chicago in the MLR.

“We just need to settle with this team now and try to get the best out of them the next four or five weeks,” Fehily said.

“The biggest takeaway so far this season is if you can just keep a consistent team on the field you most likely will do well.

“It’s the teams that have had to chop and change with injuries and bits and pieces are the ones struggling a small bit.”