Wallabies star in talks with NRL club over cross-code switch – report

RUGBY: JULY 15 Rugby Championship Australia v Argentina

Rebels and Wallabies fly-half Carter Gordon is considering a switch to rugby league and has been involved in negotiations with NRL club the Gold Coast Titans, according to Australian media reports.

The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported on Tuesday that Gordon has held talks with the Titans, who are currently occupying 16th position in the NRL Premiership’s 17-team competition, due to the uncertainty over the survival of the Rebels.

Uncertainty over Rebels’ future

There is uncertainty over the future of the Melbourne-based club’s future in Super Rugby Pacific beyond the 2024 tournament after they entered voluntary administration earlier this year.

Gordon is in the final year of his current contract with the Rebels and Rugby Australia.

The 23-year-old made his Test debut in last year’s Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Pretoria and was part of Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones’ 2023 Rugby World Cup squad in France.

With the Rebels possibly facing the axe in Super Rugby Pacific at the end of this season, Carter’s management reportedly met Titans officials with the aim of securing a contract for 2025 and beyond.

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However, the SMH report stated that the Titans baulked at the asking price of AUS$700,000 due to Carter’s lack of rugby league experience.

Gordon’s management reportedly made the request for the meeting and although Titans head coach Des Hasler was aware of it, he was not in attendance when the two parties met.

The Titans are desperately looking for playmakers with preferred half-back Tanah Boyd failing to cement his position in the team, while the experienced Kian Foran is coming towards the end of his career.

Genuinely interested in NRL switch

Although Gordon’s agent Anthony Picone said his client was genuinely interested in making a switch to the NRL, and revealed that his management group had been in contact with several NRL clubs, he would only name the Titans.

Gordon’s interest in the 13-man code comes after it was confirmed at the end of last year that Waratahs and Wallabies flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase will defect to the Sydney Roosters on a two-year-deal starting in 2025, while Reds and Wallabies utility back Jordan Petaia held talks with St. George Illawarra Dragons coach Shane Flanagan this month.