The playmaker endured a difficult time with injury in rugby league. He suffered a cerebrospinal fluid leak, which required corrective surgery and a long rehabilitation.
Gordon returned to action in the Queensland Cup in August and made his NRL debut at centre for the Titans against the Wests Tigers in the last round of the season.
Carter Gordon playing for the Wallabies in 2023 in the Bledisloe Cup.Credit: Getty
But with mutual interest between RA and Gordon about a return to rugby ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, negotiations between the Titans and RA opened, and a deal was soon struck.
RA paid a fee to the Titans to secure Gordon’s release, according to a source familiar with the arrangement. Reports say it was $100,000, but RA and the Titans have not confirmed the terms.
What is clear from the news of Gordon’s recruitment, however, is that the former Melbourne Rebel is being looked at as a strong candidate to fill the troubled No.10 jersey for the Wallabies for the 2027 World Cup, after a year cycling through a range of different players.
After Noah Lolesio suffered a season-ending neck injury, Schmidt has given starts to Tom Lynagh, James O’Connor and Tane Edmed. They all performed solidly in a season of improvement from the Wallabies, but none cemented themselves in the jersey.
Carter Gordon playing for the Melbourne Rebels in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
Along with Mark Nawaqanitawase, Schmidt did not consider Gordon for Wallabies selection in July last year, given he was departing to play in the NRL.
But the potential of Carter being the man to grab the jersey and own it in the run to 2027 has evidently changed Schmidt’s mind. There is also support from incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss, who is still head coach of the Reds.
Schmidt rarely selects a player in a tour squad without an intention of giving them game time, so Gordon will likely return to the Test arena during the tour.
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It would be spicy if Gordon played against Eddie Jones’ Japan in Tokyo, after Jones threw his faith in Gordon in the Wallabies’ ill-fated 2023 season – and then dumped him mid-way through the World Cup. It is more likely Gordon would play in the latter weeks of the five-Test tour.
With a big frame of 95kg and 193cm, Gordon is also being considered as a potential No.12 in the mould of Jordie Barrett. He can also play at fullback.
The Reds, in particular, may view Gordon more as a centre given they are stacked with five-eighths for 2026, with Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips already on the books. Former Fiji Test pivot Ben Volavola also recently signed.
Kiss confirmed as much, saying in a release: “Carter is a quality player who no doubt deepens our playing options in the key positions of flyhalf, fullback and inside centre.”
McLaughlin-Phillips is being courted by Waratahs’ coach Dan McKellar, however, about a move to Sydney.
Gordon came through the Reds’ academy but moved to Melbourne in 2021 and played 46 Super games for the Rebels. He debuted for the Wallabies in 2023 in Pretoria.
“Carter’s signing will ensure additional healthy competition at the Reds and the Wallabies and provides him with a two-year runway to make his case for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia,” RA boss Phil Waugh said.
“Rugby Australia has taken a strategic approach to player contracting this World Cup cycle, and we are delighted to bring Carter back into the system.”
