Carter Gordon has made a sensational switch to the NRL, the Wallabies playmaker to join Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal.
Gordon was linked with a switch of codes earlier in the year amid uncertainty around the Melbourne Rebels' future, the franchise where he played all four of his Super Rugby seasons.
The Rebels were a fortnight ago kicked out of Super Rugby, after Rugby Australia [RA] refused to reissue the franchise's license to a private consortium. RA had in January reclaimed the Rebels' ownership after the club was revealed to have debts in excess of $23m, the governing body not satisfied the proposed ownership group's plan was sufficiently developed to operate the team moving forward.
That decision left Gordon and many of his other Rebels' teammates in limbo, and the 23-year-old has now opted to try his hand at the 13-player game where he will join the Des Hasler-coached Titans for at least the 2025 and 2026 NRL seasons.
"I'm excited with the direction that rugby league is taking and the positive feeling around the game," Gordon said.
"At 23, I feel like I had to take this opportunity now.
"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."
Gordon played eight Tests for the Wallabies in 2023 and started the Rugby World Cup as Eddie Jones' first-choice fly-half.
But he was eventually replaced by Ben Donaldson at No. 10, before injury saw him return home from the tournament early.
While Gordon showed patches of the form that earned him a Wallabies call-up in 2023 in this year's Super Rugby Pacific season, he continued to struggle with his goal-kicking, the fly-half finishing the regular season with a lowly 69.8% success rate.
His decision is likely to cost him the chance of playing under new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with the Kiwi having already omitted Roosters-bound Mark Nawaqanitawase from a train-on squad that is preparing to face Wales and Georgia next month. Schmidt has also not selected the likes of Ned Hanigan, Izaia Perese and Lachie Swinton who have all opted for moves overseas.
Schmidt is instead likely to turn to in-form Brumbies pivot Noah Lolesio, who coincidentally re-signed with the Brumbies and RA on Wednesday morning.
Donaldson and the Reds' Tom Lynagh are also thought to be in the mix at No. 10, while the Waratahs' Tane Edmed was included in Schmidt's train-on squad despite NSW's disastrous season.
The Titans currently sit 15th on the NRL ladder having just won three games in 2024. Tanah Boyd and Kieran Foran have combined in the halves for much of the season.
Hasler said he was excited about what Gordon might bring to the club next season.
"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."
By signing a two-year deal Gordon has left open the opportunity to return to rugby ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia, just as Nawaqanitawase did in his deal with the Roosters.
Gordon cut an emotional figure when the Rebels officially bowed out of Super Rugby following their 47-20 defeat by the Hurricanes last Saturday.
"Carter Gordon has advised he has signed a contract elsewhere. We wish him well for his future," Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said.