‘Jesus, you’ve got some riches’: Ex-Wallaby 10 hails new generation

Former Wallabies flyhalf Berrick Barnes expects classy playmaker Carter Gordon to embrace a “new lease on life” in his second coming in the Test arena.

Gordon has been rushed back into the Australian squad to face Japan in Tokyo on Saturday before heading to Europe for Tests against England, Italy, Ireland and France.

His return to rugby comes after a stint in the NRL with Gold Coast, which was restricted to one match due to a career-threatening spinal injury.

Barnes is back on home turf in Brisbane as backs coach of Japanese club side Saitama Wild Knights, who will face his former Super Rugby side Queensland in a friendly on Saturday.

But the 39-year-old, who also played for the Brisbane Broncos before his own code switch, knows Gordon well after being part of Eddie Jones’s coaching set-up at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The 51-Test veteran described Gordon as “incredibly talented” and praised Rugby Australia and the Reds for bringing him back to the 15-a-side code.

Barnes said it wouldn’t take Gordon long to find his feet and that he hopes the 24-year-old will make the most of his new opportunity.

“It’s a great coup for you guys to get him,” Barnes said.

“The good thing for him was he was a rugby player through and through, and then he went to league as an opportunity. So he’s coming back to a game he knows well.

“He’s incredibly talented, like if you’ve seen him play golf and a bunch of other sports, left, right foot, he’s gifted in that sense, but he also works hard.

“And I think this new lease on life, after looking at your career that could potentially be done, and now realising that you’ve got another good 10 years ahead of you, hopefully, it’s exciting for him.”

Barnes felt Wallabies fans didn’t get the chance to see  ex-Melbourne Rebels playmaker Gordon reach his potential, with Jones axing him from the No.10 jersey midway through the World Cup.

“His Super Rugby form was outstanding, and that’s why he got that opportunity, and he showed really good touches in his first couple of Tests,” Barnes said.

“But when you get a chance at 10, teams work you out pretty quickly, and you’ve got to adapt, and he hasn’t had much time there or opportunity to do that.

“He’ll get another opportunity at that spot, I’m sure, at some time.”

Barnes feels Australian rugby – and in particular the Reds – are nearing a sweet spot with the playmakers available, with Gordon joining fellow Test flyhalf Tom Lynagh as well as 21-year-old Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in their squad.

He was also impressed by under-18 star Finn McKay, who steered Queensland to a 59-19 victory over the Wild Knights in their first clash in Toowoomba.

“That’s as good a young 10 performance as I’ve seen from anyone in a long time,” Barnes said.

“Yes, the team was going forward … but the decisions he made, and he’s your fourth string 10, Jesus, you’ve got some riches.”

Jones will coach Japan against the Wallabies on Saturday at Tokyo’s National Stadium, having signed with the Brave Blossoms after the history-making low of Australia’s last World Cup campaign.

Barnes still has fond memories of his own experience under the veteran mentor.

“It was a great experience and I learned a lot,” he said.

“I know it didn’t go to plan and I know there’s been a lot of criticism, but as a young coach, getting that opportunity to work with Eddie in that environment was fantastic.”