Wallabies star rejects overseas interest to re-sign with Rugby Australia but Joe Schmidt’s successor remains wary of French ‘threats’
Australian scrum-half Jake Gordon and Wallabies head coaches present and future, Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss.
It has been announced that scrum-half Jake Gordon has committed to Australian rugby until at least the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The playmaker has signed a new two-year deal which will keep him at the Waratahs until the conclusion of the next global tournament.
Gordon had been heavily linked with a move abroad, with English Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs at one stage very close to securing his signature, but the 31-year-old has opted to remain in Sydney.
Gordon convinced to stay
“I’m really happy to be able to commit my future to New South Wales and Australian Rugby for a further two years,” he 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.”
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar added: “I worked with Jake at the Wallabies level, and I’ve always had a lot of respect for him.
“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 Teddy Wilson and help develop him over the next period of time.”
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Gordon later spoke to reporters following the announcement and revealed that his Wallabies ambitions were decisive in agreeing a new contract.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see what was overseas,” he said. “The risk of not being involved in a Lions series and a home World Cup is a big one.”
The overseas threat
The scrum-half follows the likes of Len Ikitau, Fraser McReight, Nick Frost and Harry Wilson in committing his future to Rugby Australia.
It comes after the Wallabies lost some bright young talents to Europe with Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper signing for Montpellier and Exeter respectively.
Noah Lolesio also made the shock decision to leave after agreeing a one-year deal in Japan.
However, the governing body have made some significant progress over recent months in tying down some of their prized assets with Gordon the latest to re-sign.
It will delight current Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt and his successor, Les Kiss, who will take over in 2026.
While Kiss remains focused on the Reds, the 60-year-old will no doubt take a more active role in trying to convince their stars to stay as he recognises the financial lure that Europe and Japan provides.
“We’re realistic about the threats that the French league in particular offer and there will be some planning around that for sure,” he said.
