After one NRL season, the Wallabies re-sign a World Cup hopeful

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Carter Gordon has re-signed with Australian rugby after a stint in the NRL and will be fast-tracked back into the Wallabies, with the former Gold Coast Titan set to be included in the spring tour squad named on Monday afternoon.

Rugby Australia confirmed on Monday that Gordon had been signed on a three-year deal and the eight-Test playmaker will return to the Queensland Reds.

In a clear sign Gordon has been recruited as a potential solution to the troublesome Wallabies No.10 slot for the 2027 World Cup, informed sources say the 24-year-old will be named by Joe Schmidt later on Monday in the Wallabies’ squad for a five-Test tour of Japan, Britain and Europe, which starts next week.

This masthead revealed last week that the Titans, under new coach Josh Hannay, had granted Gordon permission to negotiate with RA about an early release from his two-year NRL contract.

“I’m stoked to return to the game I grew up playing and loving as a kid,” Gordon said in a release.

“I’ve watched both Queensland and the Wallabies from afar over the past year or so, and the journey they’re on motivates me to want to work hard and contribute positively on and off the field.

Carter Gordon playing for the Titans against the Tigers.

“I’d also like to thank the Gold Coast Titans for the opportunity to grow as a player and person at their club, and for all their support for me and my family over the past 16 months.”

Gordon played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup before switching codes and signing with the Titans midway through 2024.

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 in action for the Wallabies in 2023 in the Bledisloe Cup.

But with mutual interest between RA and Gordon about a return to rugby before the 2027 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 No.10 jersey for the Wallabies for the 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.

Along with Mark Nawaqanitawase, Schmidt did not consider Gordon for Wallabies selection in July last year, given he was heading to the NRL.

But the possibility Carter could be the man to grab hold of the jersey 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 spring tour.

It would be spicy if Gordon played against Eddie Jones’ Japan in Tokyo, after the former Wallabies coach put his faith in Gordon during Australia’s 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 95kg and 193cm frame, Gordon is also being considered as a potential No.12 in the mould of Jordie Barrett. He can also play fullback.

The Reds, in particular, may view Gordon more as a centre given they are stacked with five-eighths for 2026. They have 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 Rugby games for the Rebels. He made his debut 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.”