In a twist that could shake up Australian rugby, Carter Gordon is teetering on the brink of a sensational return to rugby union with the 2027 Rugby World Cup squarely in his sights. After a less-than-stellar stint in rugby league with the Gold Coast Titans, Gordon has been given the green light to negotiate a union comeback, following a robust endorsement from former Wallaby Quade Cooper.
Gordon, who last donned the Wallabies jersey under Eddie Jones at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, switched codes in 2025 but his league career has been plagued by injuries, limiting him to a single NRL appearance due to a serious spinal fluid issue. With his prospects in league uncertain, discussions about a return to the 15-man game have been initiated, spearheaded by the incoming Titans coach Josh Hannay and Rugby Australia.
The 24-year-old, despite renewing his contract with the Titans for 2026, faces a challenging path in the NRL, with indications that his future in league would likely see him playing in the centres rather than his preferred position in the halves. This has opened the door for a potential transition back to union, a move the Titans would consider under the right conditions, focusing on their terms to avoid any disadvantages from his departure.
The Queensland Reds have emerged as a possible destination for Gordon, keen on bolstering their squad as Australia looks to build a competitive team for the upcoming World Cup on home soil. The Wallabies' current fly-half situation has been unstable, with injuries hampering key players and veteran James O’Connor moving to Leicester Tigers, further highlighting the need for robust options in this critical position.
"The player we should be targeting to get back is Carter Gordon. With good coaching systems now in place, he would absolutely flourish," Quade Cooper stated, amplifying the call for Gordon’s return.
Cooper, who has been vocal about the team's performance, also commented on the current playmakers, suggesting a shake-up could benefit the national team:
"Their system is non-existent which puts them in bad positions which creates chaos and chaos breeds uncertainty and uncertainty = bad decisions and bad decisions result in turnovers, penalties etc," he critiqued on X.
As the Wallabies recalibrate for future challenges, the potential reintegration of Carter Gordon could prove pivotal in stabilizing and strengthening their strategic gameplay as they aim for World Cup success on home turf.
2,193 posts
In a twist that could shake up Australian rugby, Carter Gordon is teetering on the brink of a sensational return to rugby union with the 2027 Rugby World Cup squarely in his sights. After a less-than-stellar stint in rugby league with the Gold Coast Titans, Gordon has been given the green light to negotiate a union comeback, following a robust endorsement from former Wallaby Quade Cooper.
Gordon, who last donned the Wallabies jersey under Eddie Jones at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, switched codes in 2025 but his league career has been plagued by injuries, limiting him to a single NRL appearance due to a serious spinal fluid issue. With his prospects in league uncertain, discussions about a return to the 15-man game have been initiated, spearheaded by the incoming Titans coach Josh Hannay and Rugby Australia.
The 24-year-old, despite renewing his contract with the Titans for 2026, faces a challenging path in the NRL, with indications that his future in league would likely see him playing in the centres rather than his preferred position in the halves. This has opened the door for a potential transition back to union, a move the Titans would consider under the right conditions, focusing on their terms to avoid any disadvantages from his departure.
The Queensland Reds have emerged as a possible destination for Gordon, keen on bolstering their squad as Australia looks to build a competitive team for the upcoming World Cup on home soil. The Wallabies' current fly-half situation has been unstable, with injuries hampering key players and veteran James O’Connor moving to Leicester Tigers, further highlighting the need for robust options in this critical position.
"The player we should be targeting to get back is Carter Gordon. With good coaching systems now in place, he would absolutely flourish," Quade Cooper stated, amplifying the call for Gordon’s return.
Cooper, who has been vocal about the team's performance, also commented on the current playmakers, suggesting a shake-up could benefit the national team:
"Their system is non-existent which puts them in bad positions which creates chaos and chaos breeds uncertainty and uncertainty = bad decisions and bad decisions result in turnovers, penalties etc," he critiqued on X.
As the Wallabies recalibrate for future challenges, the potential reintegration of Carter Gordon could prove pivotal in stabilizing and strengthening their strategic gameplay as they aim for World Cup success on home turf.