Ex-Wallaby returns after spinal surgery, eyes NRL debut

Peter Maniaty

Ex-Wallaby returns after spinal surgery, eyes NRL debut image

Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has received plenty of plaudits in 2025—and soon he may not be the only former Wallaby star lighting up the NRL.

In some much-needed good news for the Gold Coast Titans, star recruit Carter Gordon will return to the rugby league field this weekend for the first time following spinal surgery.

When the 24-year-old runs out for Gold Coast feeder club Ipswich Jets in the Queensland Cup on Saturday afternoon it will be Gordon’s first action in almost 12 months.

Gordon is yet to play in the NRL, but played Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels and appeared in eight Tests for the Wallabies including playing fly-half at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

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Gordon has been training at both centre and in the halves at the Titans but told AAP it’s the halves where he sees his NRL future.

“I am playing six (for Ipswich) I believe, that’s where I see myself long term,” Gordon said.

“I still want to get games in this year for Q-Cup and depending how I am going hopefully get an NRL debut.”

Gordon signed with Titans in mid-2024 on a two-year deal for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Peter Maniaty

Peter Maniaty is a contributing Wires Writer at The Sporting News based in Sydney, Australia