Joe Schmidt suffers body blow as Wallabies playmaker makes bombshell move to rugby league but another commits
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt alongside Carter Gordon, who will move to rugby league in 2025.
Wallabies fly-half Carter Gordon has decided to cross codes in 2025 and switch to the NRL in a move which has stunned Australian rugby.
The 23-year-old was without a team next year following the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, but Rugby Australia was keen to tie down the talented pivot.
Gordon had established himself as the national team’s number 10 under Eddie Jones and was the first choice playmaker in 2023, including at the start of the Rugby World Cup.
No Lions series
Although eligible for the 2024 Test season, he will forgo the chance of representing the Wallabies during the 2025 British and Irish Lions series after signing for the Gold Coast Titans.
“I’m excited with the direction that rugby league is taking and the positive feeling around the game,” the playmaker said. “At 23, I feel like I had to take this opportunity now.
“I’m under no illusions and understand that this will be a massive challenge.
“I was really impressed with the Titans and the professionalism they displayed in our meetings.
“I’ve loved my time with rugby as it’s given me the opportunity to represent my country which I’ll always appreciate.”
Gordon has signed a two-year contract with the Titans which will keep him in rugby league for at least 2025 and 2026.
He joins star back three player Mark Nawaqanitawase in switching to the 13-man code in another body blow for Joe Schmidt and the governing body.
Nawaqanitawase was ousted from a recent training squad named by new Wallabies head coach Schmidt due to his impending move and Gordon could follow suit.
One goes but another stay
Noah Lolesio is therefore in line for a recall having ironically – on the same day – committed his future to Australian rugby by agreeing a new contract.
It is only a one-year deal, taking him through to the end of 2025, and Lolesio admitted that at times it was a “50-50” call on whether to stay or go.
“If you would’ve asked me at the start of this year what I’ll be doing, I’d be 50-50 on staying or leaving,” he said.
“It was a real gut feeling for me to stay one more year and I’m just really enjoying my time, especially at the Brumbies.”
After being axed from the Australia squad in 2023 by former boss Eddie Jones, Lolesio signed for Top 14 side Toulon on a three-month deal, which he felt was crucial for his development.
French experience
“It’s probably the most critical experience I’ve had so far in my rugby career,” he said.
“Obviously last year with the Wallabies, stuff didn’t go my way. But again, I believe that everything happens for a reason and if I did make the Wallabies last year, I probably wouldn’t have gone to France and Toulon.
“My experience over there was awesome, I really enjoyed it.”
“I’ve tried to take my approach from France back to here at the Brums and really loosen myself up, just enjoy it and not put so much pressure on myself as I’ve probably done in the last few years,” he said.
“I feel I’ve been playing some consistent footy and hopefully I do the same again this Friday (in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final).”
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