Carter Gordon makes a high-profile code switch back to rugby
Australian fly-half Carter Gordon is swapping codes once again, signing a three-year deal with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle. The decision reunites a player who once threatened to establish himself as a Wallaby regular with the Reds’ long-term winning ambitions, while also offering him a fresh path to broaden his international future.
The 24-year-old, who played eight Tests for the Wallabies in 2023, left Super Rugby Pacific to test himself in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans. His time in rugby league was tempered by a spinal injury that limited his game-time, with his NRL debut only arriving in round 27 this season. Despite a one-year remaining on his Titans contract, Gordon sought a return to the game that first built his career.
Gordon’s immediate release from the Titans was confirmed by the club, and he wasted little time in expressing his excitement about his rugby return. “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,” Gordon said in a Reds statement. “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.”
Why this move makes sense for Gordon and the Reds
Gordon’s return could be seen as a natural fit for the Reds, who already have Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh and the promising Harry McLaughlin-Phillips on their books. The Reds’ depth at fly half has been a talking point in recent seasons, and Gordon’s versatility could also see him employ roles at inside centre or fullback, depending on coach Les Kiss’s tactical plans.
Coach Kiss hailed the signing as “great news,” highlighting Gordon’s potential to deepen the Reds’ options in key positions. “Carter is a quality player who no doubt deepens our playing options in the key positions of fly half, fullback and inside centre,” Kiss said. He also noted the practical realities of Super Rugby Pacific schedules and travel, suggesting that additional depth will be valuable as the team navigates byes and congested periods.
Implications for the Wallabies ahead of 2027
Gordon’s return to rugby will notably boost the Wallabies’ depth at fly half, a position that has been a concern for Joe Schmidt and his successor, Kiss. After Eddie Jones handed Gordon his Wallabies debut in the 2023 Rugby Championship, the young playmaker found himself part of a squad that would eventually miss the knockout stages of a World Cup in France—a historic disappointment for a nation accustomed to postseason rugby. Gordon’s experience across both rugby codes could be a valuable asset as Australia builds its squad for the Forklift Trophy: the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
Gordon’s earlier path included stints with the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific before moving to the NRL with the Titans. The Rebels, now out of the competition, left Gordon with a choice: return to rugby union or continue pursuing a cross-code career. His decision to rejoin the Reds on a three-year pact signals a long-term view, particularly given his Sunshine Coast roots and schooling at Brisbane Boys’ College, which anchors his ties to Queensland rugby culture.
What fans can expect this season
As Gordon integrates back into the Reds setup, supporters will be watching his ability to adapt to the pace and decision-making demands of fly half, as well as how his skill-set translates when deployed in other backline roles. With a World Cup on the horizon, this move also puts Gordon in the spotlight as a potential component of the Wallabies’ strategy for building a competitive squad capable of contending on home soil in 2027.
Overall, Gordon’s return offers a compelling storyline: a talented Australian product who traversed rugby league with resilience, now re-emerging in rugby union with a club steeped in his rugby lineage. The next three years will be decisive in shaping his international prospects and the Reds’ ambitions in a highly competitive era of Super Rugby Pacific.
