When Turinui expects Wallabies to unleash code-hopper Carter Gordon

Stan Sport commentator Morgan Turinui expects code-hopper Carter Gordon to come off the bench for the Wallabies against England this weekend, less than one month after returning to rugby union from the NRL.

Gordon made eight appearances in Wallaby gold under then-coach Eddie Jones two years ago, initially providing impact off the bench in two Tests before emerging as the team’s first-choice fly-half ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

After 45 Super Rugby appearances for the Melbourne Rebels, Gordon left rugby union to pursue an opportunity in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans in 2024. Following a stint on the sidelines, Gordon debuted for the Titans in their final-round clash with the Wests Tigers last month.

It was reported by numerous media outlets earlier this month that Gordon was expected to leave the NRL for rugby union, later signing with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds effective immediately on a deal through to 2028.

Gordon was named in the Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad when it was announced about 90 minutes later, but the playmaker didn’t feature against Japan last weekend. Former Wallaby Turinui expects to see the 24-year-old included in the side to face England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

“I’d say off the bench. I think he was previewed to go off the bench, it sounded like, and then he had that little quad niggle I’m told. I think they’re quite confident that they’ll be able to use him,” Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“You saw Hamish Stewart had to come on and play 10 [against Japan]. There was a penalty 50-something metres out right on the bell to go up by seven, didn’t have a recognised kicker that could go that long.

“I would’ve thought they’d want to have him as an option off the bench.”

Gordon’s maiden start for the Wallabies was against the All Blacks in front of 80,000 supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2023. The No. 10 retained that starting role through to the World Cup, listed as the only specialist fly-half in that squad.

Ben Donaldson provided cover in the position, but Gordon was the first choice to begin with, starting against Georgia and Fiji before coming off the bench against Wales in Lyon. Gordon missed the rest of the World Cup after sustaining a knee cartilage injury at training.

Two years on, Tane Edmed had started two Test matches on the bounce for the Wallabies, facing the All Blacks in Perth and Japan in Tokyo. Edmed and Gordon are the only specialist fly-halves in the Wallabies’ squad for their End of Year Tour.

“Joe said in a press conference through the week that he wants to try and get him involved in pretty quickly which he doesn’t usually do,” former Wallabies scrum-half Nick Phipps added.

“Usually brings players in, they’ve got to earn the right over three, four weeks to get an opportunity. No doubt that he’ll get an opportunity at some stage.”