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Ex-Wallaby Carter Gordon sets sights on NRL pre-season after code switch

Carter Gordon in action during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Carter Gordon is so focused on rugby league that the former Wallaby hasn’t “really been watching” Test rugby since switching codes. As the Wallabies prepare for their clash with England in London, Gordon is looking ahead to pre-season with the Gold Coast Titans.

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It wasn’t that long ago that Gordon was a key member of the Wallabies’ squad. With coach Eddie Jones in charge, the young playmaker was the only flyhalf picked in the team’s Rugby World Cup squad, while Ben Donaldson was selected as a ‘utility’ option.

Gordon had only played five Test matches before the sport’s showpiece event, which included two starts against New Zealand and another away to France. With a game-breaking ability in both attack and defence, there was a lot to like about what the Aussie brought to the table.

But Gordon wouldn’t play for the Wallabies again before completing a stunning move to the NRL in July. Following the Melbourne Rebels’ campaign, the flyhalf bid farewell to rugby union after signing a two-year deal with the Titans for 2025 and 2026.

Unlike fellow 2023 Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase, Gordon didn’t debut in the NRL in 2024 but that opportunity doesn’t appear to be far off. The man himself is firmly focused on what lies ahead after committing to the Gold Coast club.

“I haven’t really been watching it to be honest,” Gordon told reporters.

“Obviously, I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can in the league.

“Obviously, every now and then you see a post that comes up and you see how the boys are doing, a lot of those guys are still my mates so I’m obviously checking in with them to see how it’s going.

“But definitely all (my) focus is on rugby league.”

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With Tweed Seagulls in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup, Gordon was nothing short of sensational from the get-go. The code-hopper started two games at centre and another two at five-eighth – finishing the season with four tries, four line breaks, almost 400 running metres, and 41 tackles.

The Titans have listed Gordon on their website as a centre, but it seems that won’t be the case moving forward. While acknowledging that there’s a lot of work to be done during pre-season, the eight-Test Wallaby insisted that the halves is where he wants to play.

“I really enjoy playing in the halves,” Gordon said. “I actually enjoy playing in the centres as well.

“I think it’s just going to be a bit of a work in progress through the pre-season, but I’m definitely keen to get in the halves and ball play.

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“Obviously, that’s something that I’m familiar with coming from rugby union.

“I think it just needs a bit of work in pre-season. Obviously, get a feel for it, but ideally, I want to be playing there.”

The Gold Coast Titans failed to make the NRL finals last season after finishing 14th with a record of eight wins and 16 losses. They started the campaign with eight losses on the bounce before shocking the New Zealand Warriors 27-24 in Auckland on April 25.

With the squad boasting genuine quality, including the likes of fullback Jayden Campbell, former New Zealand Kiwis playmaker Kieran Foran, as well as Queensland Maroons representatives David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Gordon is excited to have joined the Titans.

“The Titans were one of the first clubs I spoke to and I was talking to them through the whole process,” he explained.

“I’m a Queensland boy originally, I grew up in the Sunshine Coast and the drawcard of coming back home was a big one for me.

“… You look at the squad’s that’s building now and the squad that we’re taking into 25, it’s strong. We’re going to learn on the back of last year and hopefully win a lot more games in 25.”

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

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T
TT 19 minutes ago
'No, it’s not, that’s the truth' - Andy Farrell rubbishes Ireland subplot

ABs by 4……


IF

The Razor gang has given the AB’s a game plan A, B, C & etc (unlike so many AB games since 2016). &


IF

AB’s play 80+ minutes. &


IF

ABs do their individual & team jobs error free (‘ish)  (unlike so many AB team since 2016). &


IF

All the ‘critical V Ireland’ AB form mobile forwards stay on field for the 80min S.Barrett, Sititi, Savea, and Vaa’i swap with Cane when he tires & Tuipulotu comes on. Finau back up. &


IF

The 10's get a better ‘cunning game plan’ than BB, ie his kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, ETC! (& MacK does have a better game plan). &


IF

Aumua can throw to lineouts . &


IF

The AB’s can remember their lineout calls (unlike too many V England games 1, 2 & 3). &


IF

Williams can be coached to stop being sucked into experienced tactics to drop him to the ground. &


IF

The AB coaches, teach all ABs some ‘soccer like’ drama queen fouling acting skills to make clear to the ref 1 of the most common Irish tactics ie obstruction by ‘stray’ decoy attackers around contact zone (tackle, ruck, maul). &


IF

The ABs have their arm out away if not tackling any, again, decoy attackers  (or defenders) that run into them to try milk penalties as England did (eg penalty  against  Cane the worst). &


IF

S.Barrett can change & captain with assertiveness & presence to even be noticed by the ref (way to passive). &


IF

There's no food poisoning.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 25 minutes ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

HAHA don't ask me that! You tell me, if McMillian was the AB coach would he be selecting Dmac over Mo'unga!?!


Look, Dmac is clearly first choice. Razor said BB was a selection "just for this game", Dmac was always leading the two big ones. They rotated BB and Mounga the same way in 22.


Firstly, I'm a fan of BB when he's not gun shy. Do I think he's a first five? Of course not, he can hardly pass the ball 5 meters. Do I think he's likely to play again after being concussed? No, end of discussion.


Do I hate Mo'unga? No, of course not. He was the only reason we got within cooee of SA, him finding his footing at International level was their main reason for success. Do I think that resulted in him being a game orchestra or having played well in black the years prior to that? Of course not. Maybe you were just on the end of the better AB performances fran, outside of those games I'd suggest he wasn't as influential as you think. He has a good kicking game for sure, but it's certainly not up there with Carter or even some current 10s, and it's certainly not much better than DMac's (understand you own opinion still won't say that) despite him having a lot more development and experience.


He would obviously get a great opportunity from Razor if he came back, and DMac would possibly find he can be a good fullback or bench player under Razors guidance, but if you're wrong and Dmac actually performed better than Richie running the show, then he'll having Damien as his 10 come RWC time.


TLDR, JWH is a Cantab, Richie is one of my favourite players, we just think you've got the wrong context in this article and I think you're way off the mark on Richies strengths.

44 Go to comments
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