Wallaby’s stint at Toulon ends prematurely due to concussion setback
Jake Gordon at a Wallabies training session on the Gold Coast in 2022.
Wallabies scrum-half Jake Gordon’s stint as a back-up player at Toulon during the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France has come to a premature end due to concussion.
Gordon has already made 20 appearances for Australia but has not played for his country in 2023 as he was not included in their squad for the current Rugby Championship.
The 30-year-old joined Toulon earlier this month as temporary cover for Baptiste Serin and Ben White, who will be away with the French and Scottish national teams respectively in preparation for the World Cup, which kicks off on September 8.
“It’s a fairly significant concussion which cannot allow him to assume his role as World Cup cover,” said Toulon head coach Pierre Mignoni.
“Unfortunately, he has between four to eight weeks (out), his career is not in question but he is not able to be on the pitch immediately.”
One of two Wallabies at Toulon
Earlier this year, Gordon signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Waratahs until the end of the 2025 Super Rugby season and was one of two Australian players – along with Brumbies and Wallabies fly-half Noah Lolesio – to join Toulon on a short-term ‘joker’ contract during the World Cup.
Gordon was training with the Toulon squad for a few days before representing Australia ‘A’ in a friendly against Tonga in Nuku’alofa on July 14 and he sustained his concussion in that match.
“It’s a shame because we discovered a very endearing personality but the collaboration cannot be done,” said Mignoni.
Toulon is therefore still searching for at least one player as a back-up scrum-half.
“We are looking for someone available now, it is not easy but we will find,” Mignoni added.
Three-time Champions Cup winners Toulon will start their 2023/24 Top 14 campaign against Lyon at the Stade de Gerland on August 19.
The domestic competition will be taking a three-week break during the World Cup held in France after three rounds of league matches.
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