Back to the code: Carter Gordon’s latest switch
Wallabies fans have a fresh reason to be optimistic as Carter Gordon confirms a return to rugby union after a spell in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans. The 24-year-old playmaker has signed a three-year deal with Rugby Australia (RA) and the Queensland Reds, with his sights set on the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The move marks a return to the sport where he first showed promise and where many supporters believe his best years lie still ahead.
Gordon’s pathway through rugby has been unusual but promising. A former Melbourne Rebels academy graduate who later made his Super Rugby Pacific debut with the Rebels in 2021, he earned his first Wallabies caps in 2023. His transition back to rugby, after a stint in the NRL, signals RA’s intent to deepen the national team’s fly-half stocks as they prepare for Australia’s hosting of the 2027 World Cup.
From Wallabies debut to NRL detour
Gordon’s breakout came in the 2023 Rugby Championship, where then-Wallabies coach Eddie Jones trusted him as a bench option before he earned his first start at fly-half in a loss to New Zealand at the MCG. The 43-12 defeat to South Africa in Pretoria still stands out as a memorable moment of his early international career, including a late try against the Springboks that hinted at his attacking instincts.
In 2024, Gordon crossed codes, joining the NRL and the Gold Coast Titans. His time in league was hampered by a spinal injury, and he did not make an NRL debut until Round 27 this season. Despite showing flashes of potential, the move did not unfold as planned, and the Titans granted him an immediate release, paving the way for a return to rugby. Gordon spoke of his long-term love for the game and the chance to represent a team he grew up supporting: the Queensland Reds.
A Reds homecoming with an eye on 2027
The Reds’ decision to bring Gordon back fits neatly with their development plans. Coach Les Kiss will now navigate a crowded backline, with Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh already in the squad and the emerging Harry McLaughlin-Phillips pushing for opportunities. Gordon’s preferred position is fly-half, but his versatility could see him used at inside centre or fullback if needed as Reds coach Kiss evaluates the best balance for the squad across the season.
For Gordon, wearing the Reds jersey again comes with a dual purpose. It aligns his professional trajectory with the ongoing plan to restore Wallabies depth at 10, a concern highlighted by coaches and analysts as the national program gears up for home advantage in 2027. Reds supporters will be keen to see how Gordon’s experience in both rugby union’s high-stakes environments and a challenging NRL backdrop translates to an elite level of play in Super Rugby Pacific.
What this means for the Wallabies
Gordon’s move to the Reds is a strategic boost for the national team’s depth chart. As Joe Schmidt and his successor work to bolster the fly-half options, Gordon’s return provides a new competition for the role and a potential blueprint for complementary roles in the backline. His blend of vision, kicking ability, and creative flat passes can give Australia an extra edge in set-piece and open-field play.
Coach Kiss welcomed the development, describing Gordon as “quality” and highlighting how the signing deepens the Reds’ options at fly-half, fullback and inside centre. The decision also underlines a broader trend among Australian players who are comfortable moving across codes to pursue top-tier opportunities, then returning to contribute to the national program.
Looking ahead
With Gordon now secured until 2027, the Reds and the Wallabies have a clear path to integrating him into a system that values speed, decision-making, and attacking precision. Gordon’s experience in Super Rugby Pacific, coupled with his international exposure, positions him as a potential key contributor as Australia seeks a successful campaign on home soil in the 2027 World Cup year.
As Gordon embarks on this renewed rugby journey, the rugby world will be watching to see how his skills evolve and how he fits into a Reds side rich with talent. If his NRL detour taught him anything, it’s that resilience and adaptability can shape a player’s career, and Gordon’s return to the rugby field is a compelling chapter in a journey defined by versatility and ambition.
