The ‘unbelievable connection’ between two emerging Aussie stars
Brothers Mason and Carter Gordon share a unique connection off the field, and their relationship is also incredibly exciting for the future of the Melbourne Rebels and potentially the Wallabies.
There might not be anyone in the world who knows Rebels playmaker Carter Gordon better than his younger brother Mason.
The pair have both inked deals with the Rebels, live together in Melbourne after moving south from Queensland, and are “pretty much best friends.”
While Mason is yet to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut, Carter has taken the competition by storm this season. In fact, the flyhalf has surged into Wallabies contention ahead of this year’s World Cup in France.
Carter was included in Eddie Jones’ star-studded Wallabies squad for a training camp on the Gold Coast last month, and has continued to impress in the No. 10 jersey for the Rebels.
But after every training or match, Carter comes home and resumes his role as an older brother.
Living with one of the brightest rising stars in Australian rugby, as he has done his whole life, Mason gets to see the “personal side” of Carter – but is also learning whatever he can from the player the Junior Wallaby considers a “role model.”
“I live with him down in Melbourne and it’s really good for us because we have an unbelievable connection as brothers, pretty much best friends,” Gordon told RugbyPass after Junior Wallabies training this week.
“We learn off each other very well with different people but we do learn off each other well.
“He’s someone I look up to and know that I’ll have him by my side and I’ll be by his side whenever we need each other.
“Definitely a role model for me. I watch his games every day, I know exactly what he’s supposed to be on the field and he does leaps and bounds above what he’s supposed to.
“Coming home and getting to see the personal side of him like I have my whole life obviously, he’s my brother, he’s a very professional athlete and I take a lot of things from him.”
Mason, who much like his brother is sporting a simply magnificent mullet, is an emerging star in his own right.
Gordon plays either fullback or flyhalf, and is currently plying his trade with Wests Bulldogs in Brisbane as he continues to wait for an opportunity to debut for the Rebels.
Without putting the mocker on the young utility back, there was some chatter years ago at his old high school Brisbane Boys’ College – the school this journalist graduated from, so I remember hearing it first-hand – that Mason was better than his brother.
But, when asked about that opinion, Gordon practically laughed it off.
“We are very competitive but at the same time we want the best for each other,” he added.
“I enjoy a lot of my time at fullback on the field… I think we really complement each other’s games.
“We haven’t been on the field (together) that often but when we do, we love playing with each other and the competitive nature is there but at the end of the day we want the best for each other.
“It’s definitely a goal of mine (to play Super Rugby) but at the moment I just really want to focus on my Junior Wallabies tournament.
“If it comes, it’s a lifelong goal of mine to play Super Rugby so if it comes it comes, but my focus right now it on what I’m playing and that’s Junior Wallabies.”
Running around at Junior Wallabies training on the Gold Coast earlier this week, Gordon slotted in at fullback as the squad ran a simulated 15 on 15 clash.
Gordon was included in the esteemed 31-player squad ahead of a two-game series against rivals New Zealand, with preparations well underway ahead of the World Rugby Under-20s Championship in South Africa next month.
“We’ve got an unbelievable group here from all around Australia and obviously the best 30-odd players in Australia.
“It’s a good standard here and we’re going to look to go well in the up and coming series against New Zealand, and blood some players in to get ready for the World Cup over in South Africa.
“They’re going to throw the ball around and they’re gonna be a pretty ruthless team, and we’re expecting that.
“It’s what we’ve been preparing for from camp one, two and three, so everyone’s excited to get over there and rip in.”
Australia will take on the New Zealand Under 20s in Wellington early next week, before going head-to-head for a second time on Saturday.
The second clash between the best young rugby talents from both nations is the curtain raiser to the Hurricanes’ clash with the Crusaders at Sky Stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments