Jake Gordon

Jake Gordon is a rare breed of halfback in a country that has produced a long line of champion No.9s. Gordon, at 6-foot, 1-inch, became the tallest Wallaby half since Nick Farr-Jones and possibly the tallest of all-time, when he debuted against Italy in 2018.

Determined, hard-working and talented, Gordon’s real strength is around the ruck where his artful running creates boundless opportunities and space for the players around him.

Born and educated in Sydney, Gordon played his first rugby for the Canterbury Juniors. Upon the completion of his schooling in 2011, Gordon signed with Sydney University Football Club where he faced such tough competition that it was four years before he cemented a spot in the top grade. Gordon had an outstanding 2015 season in both the Shute Shield and with the Sydney Stars in the Buildcorp NRC, and he also trained with the Waratahs as part of their extended playing squad.

The following year he joined New South Wales on a one-year-deal and later played an instrumental part in the NSW Country Eagles NRC campaign where he finished the season as joint leading try-scorer (9). Gordon’s outstanding form saw him earn the title of the 2016 Buildcorp NRC Players’ Player, as voted by his peers, at the annual RUPA Awards. In 2017 an ankle injury to Nick Phipps saw Gordon make his Super Rugby debut against the Lions in Johannesburg. Then, with Phipps still laid low by injury and despite only a handful of senior representative games under his belt, Gordon was called into the Wallaby squad for the trio of June internationals before he deservedly made his Test debut against the Azzurri during the end-of-season Spring Tour.

While Nic White’s return from the U.K. squeezed Gordon from the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad the retirement of Will Genia opened the door for a return to the Wallabies in 2020. Over the past three seasons Gordon has won 19 caps as he and Tate McDermott jockeyed with White for the coveted number nine jersey.

Highlights

2018 Gordon won his first Test cap at halfback, partnered with Matt To’omua, in 26-7 win over Italy in Padova.

2020 With Genia retired, Gordon played four Tests as a replacement, the first two away to New Zealand and then both home fixtures against Argentina.

2021 Gordon started the first two Test of the home series against France and, in the second match, scored his first Test try. He picked up two further caps before White returned from an MCL injury for the second Bledisloe. A fifth and final cap for the year came against Argentina on the Gold Coast.

2022 Gordon played in a career high 10 Tests, four of which came as the starting number nine including both Bledisloe Cup matches.