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After emerging as Joe Schmidt’s first-choice halfback in 2024, Jake Gordon has recommitted to the NSW Waratahs to ensure he’s in the best place possible to feature at the 2027 World Cup.
A week after The Roar revealed Gordon had put pen to paper for another couple of years, Rugby Australia confirmed the retention on Wednesday morning.
By signing on through until the end of the 2027 Super Rugby season, Gordon hasn’t risked going overseas and compromising his hopes of featuring in a maiden World Cup.
Having been looked over for the past two editions by Michael Cheika and Eddie Jones, Gordon had weighed up a move overseas for months as he contemplated who the next Wallabies coach might be and whether he would compromise his jersey by going overseas. It came after he asked Rugby Australia for an early release last year.
But after being favoured by Schmidt, Gordon chose to stick with the Waratahs.
By doing so, Gordon could become a one club player, with the soon-to-be 32-year-old will be 34 by the time the World Cup finishes in late 2027.
Gordon also said he thought the Waratahs were turning the corner under first-year coach Dan McKellar.
“I’m really happy to be able to commit my future to New South Wales and Australian Rugby for a further two years,” the Waratahs captain said.
“I have strong confidence in the direction the Waratahs are heading in and I want to continue to work hard to contribute to the success to the team.
“I felt I had my best year for the Wallabies in 2024 and I’m certainly hoping to continue that progress and put my best foot forward to be part of the major milestones coming up here on home soil in the Lions Series and home Rugby World Cup.”
Jake Gordon has re-signed with Australian rugby through to the 2027 World Cup. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
The retention was celebrated by Rugby Australia and NSW officials, with the captain viewed as an important piece of the puzzle to keep at home.
“Jake is an important leader within Australian Rugby, and we’re extremely pleased he has re-committed until the end of 2027,” RA high performance director Peter Horne said.
“He is someone who works hard and drives standards, and there’s no doubt his experience at both state and international level will be important moving forward.”
McKellar, who coached against Gordon for years at the Brumbies and worked alongside him at the Wallabies for a couple of years too, sad that the halfback could cement his place in NSW history over the coming years.
He added that Gordon would also be an important figure in helping the development of rising halfback Teddy Wilson, with the former Junior Wallabies captain showing that he’s the future at the club earlier this year.
“I worked with Jake at the Wallabies level, and I’ve always had a lot of respect for him,” McKellar said.
“Coaching against him, he was certainly always a threat. He’s got a very good pass, very good kicking game. When he’s at his best, his running game will challenge any defence.
“He has grown into a good leader, and that’s so important here. We need leaders, players who lead through their actions and keep each other held each other to account.
“It’s pleasing for Jake to be here. He has played over one hundred games for the Waratahs.
“Only one person has played 150 for the NSW Waratahs [Benn Robinson/155 games].
“So, that’s a goal Jake could potentially reach. And I know that he’ll also work closely with [scrumhalf] Teddy Wilson and help develop him over the next period of time.”
Gordon will start at halfback against the Reds in Friday night’s crunch fixture against the Queensland Reds in Sydney.
Andrew Kellaway described the match as a “must-win” game for the Waratahs if they hoped to return to the finals.
While the Waratahs have lost four of their past five matches, McKellar’s side are unbeaten in Sydney this year and Kellaway said keeping their winning streak alive at Allianz Stadium was vital.
“It will definitely be mentioned. It’s a pretty special thing,” the Wallabies winger said.
“It’s a pretty cool record. I was thinking, this is my 12th year in professional rugby and I don’t think I’ve played in a team that’s been unbeaten at home.
“So we can definitely lean into it, but the fact of the matter is we’ve got two more home games, so if you get it wrong once, we’re not talking about it anymore.”
Andrew Kellaway and Jake Gordon will lineup against the Reds on Friday in Sydney. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
McKellar is expected to welcome back former Wallabies captain Dave Porecki at hooker, with the hooker seen wearing the No.2 jersey at training on Tuesday.
Former Force forward Fergus Lee Warner is expected to run out for the first time this year at lock having made his return for Easts last year. He’s expected to be joined in the pack by Charlie Gamble.
McKellar is also expected to make a couple of changes to his backline, with Tane Edmed seen running the cutter at fly-half alongside a midfield featuring Joey Walton and Henry O’Donnell.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.