Wallaby Carter Gordon makes shock code switch, agrees to join NRL club

Following Melbourne Rebels’ winding up by Rugby Australia, Carter Gordon, one of the club’s best players, has decided to switch codes. The 23-year-old fly-half has agreed to join Gold Coast Titans ahead of the 2025 NRL season.  
 
Gordon highlights the relative stability of the NRL compared to top rugby union leagues as a major reason for his shock code switch. 

Gordon makes code switch 

After four years in the Super League, Carter Gordon is switching codes and moving to the NRL. Gold Coast Titans announced on Wednesday that the 23-year-old had agreed to join them for the 2025 and 2026 NRL seasons.  
 
“At 23, I feel like I had to take this opportunity now,” Gordon said in a Gold Coast Titans statement.   
 
“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.” 
 
Titans boss Des Hasler said he is excited to work with Gordon and that the young playmaker has impressed him already.  
 
“Carter has competed well in rugby, representing his country and playing at the World Cup,” Hasler said. 
 
“What has impressed me is his attitude to test himself and take on the challenge of switching to a new code. He’s a skillful player who backs himself.” 
 
Gordon played eight Tests for Australia in 2023, including matches at the Rugby World Cup in France where he was Eddie Jones' first-choice No. 10.  
 
The 23-year-old’s two-year contract leaves the option open for Gordon to make a return to rugby before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.  

Rebels’ winding up sends shockwaves 

Melbourne Rebels were kicked out of Super Rugby two weeks ago by Rugby Australia. The governing body denied the club’s request to reissue their franchise licence to a new private consortium.  
 
The club played their last Super Rugby Pacific match last weekend, leaving players like Gordon and other players out in the cold without a club.  
 
Gordon is the first player to make a major move following Rebels’ winding up. The fly-half cited the instability at Melbourne as one of the reasons he decided to switch codes.  
 
“I’m excited with the direction that rugby league is taking and the positive feeling around the game,” Gordon said.  

Gold Coast are unfortunately not an NRL club with a positive feeling around them. The Titans are in the midst of a Wooden Spoon battle, just two points ahead of bottom-of-the-table Wests Tigers. Titans’ next match is against the Tigers this Saturday at 3pm in Lilyfield.