After a less-than-stellar dive into rugby league with the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans, Carter Gordon is making a triumphant return to rugby union, penning a deal with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds that stretches until 2028. The young fly-half, just 24, had a brief and injury-plagued tenure at the Titans, including a significant neck injury that required surgery after his sole first-team outing. But now, Gordon is set to don the Reds jersey, a team he first joined as a prodigious 17-year-old schoolboy.
Gordon’s rugby league stint may have been forgettable, but his union credentials are anything but. Initially joining the Reds, he faced setbacks with injuries and made no first-team appearances, which led him to the Melbourne Rebels. There, Gordon’s prowess truly shone through over 46 appearances, catapulting him into the Wallabies squad in 2023 where he debuted against the Springboks in Pretoria. His performances peaked during that year’s Rugby World Cup in France, making him a player to watch as the 2027 World Cup looms on home soil.
Speaking on his return, Gordon expressed his eagerness to rejoin the 15-man game.
"I’m stoked to return to the game I grew up playing and loving as a kid, especially with the opportunity to represent the team I grew up supporting, the Queensland Reds,"
he said. He also extended his gratitude to the Titans for their support during his brief league career.
Reds head coach Les Kiss is equally thrilled about Gordon’s return, noting his versatility and skill set.
"Carter is a quality player who no doubt deepens our playing options in the key positions of flyhalf, fullback, and inside centre,"
Kiss remarked, highlighting the strategic advantage of increasing squad depth amidst the rigorous Super Rugby Pacific season.
Rugby Australia’s chief executive, Phil Waugh, also praised Gordon’s homecoming as a boost for the Wallabies’ playmaking depth, a critical factor as they gear up for the next World Cup cycle. "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," said Waugh, emphasizing the strategic importance of Gordon’s reintegration into Australian rugby.
Gordon’s pivot back to union is not just a personal full circle but a strategic move for Australian rugby, heralding a promising chapter both for him and for his teams as they prepare for the global showdown in 2027.
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After a less-than-stellar dive into rugby league with the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans, Carter Gordon is making a triumphant return to rugby union, penning a deal with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds that stretches until 2028. The young fly-half, just 24, had a brief and injury-plagued tenure at the Titans, including a significant neck injury that required surgery after his sole first-team outing. But now, Gordon is set to don the Reds jersey, a team he first joined as a prodigious 17-year-old schoolboy.
Gordon’s rugby league stint may have been forgettable, but his union credentials are anything but. Initially joining the Reds, he faced setbacks with injuries and made no first-team appearances, which led him to the Melbourne Rebels. There, Gordon’s prowess truly shone through over 46 appearances, catapulting him into the Wallabies squad in 2023 where he debuted against the Springboks in Pretoria. His performances peaked during that year’s Rugby World Cup in France, making him a player to watch as the 2027 World Cup looms on home soil.
Speaking on his return, Gordon expressed his eagerness to rejoin the 15-man game.
"I’m stoked to return to the game I grew up playing and loving as a kid, especially with the opportunity to represent the team I grew up supporting, the Queensland Reds,"
he said. He also extended his gratitude to the Titans for their support during his brief league career.Reds head coach Les Kiss is equally thrilled about Gordon’s return, noting his versatility and skill set.
"Carter is a quality player who no doubt deepens our playing options in the key positions of flyhalf, fullback, and inside centre,"
Kiss remarked, highlighting the strategic advantage of increasing squad depth amidst the rigorous Super Rugby Pacific season.Rugby Australia’s chief executive, Phil Waugh, also praised Gordon’s homecoming as a boost for the Wallabies’ playmaking depth, a critical factor as they gear up for the next World Cup cycle. "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," said Waugh, emphasizing the strategic importance of Gordon’s reintegration into Australian rugby.
Gordon’s pivot back to union is not just a personal full circle but a strategic move for Australian rugby, heralding a promising chapter both for him and for his teams as they prepare for the global showdown in 2027.