Latest news with #JakeGordon
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wallaby stunned but supportive of a US Super Rugby team
Wallabies halfback Jake Gordon has thrown his support behind the notion of expanding the Super Rugby Pacific into the Americas. But he admits to being shocked when learning powerbrokers were considering the prospect of establishing a team on the west coast to give the US a greater rugby presence ahead of their hosting of the 2031 World Cup. "I haven't heard that. You've stunned me a little bit there," Gordon told reporters when asked which Californian city might be the most logical location for a 12th Super team. "I'm not sure how a 12th team would work from America. I see there's a lot of guys playing over there from Australia (in the Major League Rugby). "They've sort of taken the tier (of players) between Shute Shield and Super Rugby. "Especially at my club at Sydney Uni, there's probably about 10 guys now playing over there and you can see the competition's growing. "Jed Holloway, Brad Wilkin are now at San Diego, a good old housemate, Maclean Jones, and Mick Shorter at Chicago, and you can see the standard is definitely rising." Conceding he has "no idea" if an American team will be the next to enter Super Rugby amid reported concerns from World Rugby officials after awarding the US the global showpiece in six years, Gordon thinks South Africa returning to the fold "would be nice". A Japanese franchise in a closer time zone to Australia and New Zealand is a more obvious option, but Gordon understands why rugby's stakeholders are considering going down the left-field US path. "It's important we grow the game," he said after announcing on Wednesday he'd recommitted to the NSW Waratahs and Australian rugby for another two years. "If they're going to have a World Cup there, we need to have some presence over there. "I'm not sure on how MLR's going. I have been watching a few games because I've got housemates over there and the rugby is progressing. "I'm not sure on their coverage and how many eyes they're getting on the sport, but you're seeing rugby league now into that market. "I think it's important with the World Cup coming up that we strengthen the home international team and maybe it's exciting and new. "Doesn't sound like too bad an idea."
West Australian
07-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Wallaby stunned but supportive of a US Super Rugby team
Wallabies halfback Jake Gordon has thrown his support behind the notion of expanding the Super Rugby Pacific into the Americas. But he admits to being shocked when learning powerbrokers were considering the prospect of establishing a team on the west coast to give the US a greater rugby presence ahead of their hosting of the 2031 World Cup. "I haven't heard that. You've stunned me a little bit there," Gordon told reporters when asked which Californian city might be the most logical location for a 12th Super team. "I'm not sure how a 12th team would work from America. I see there's a lot of guys playing over there from Australia (in the Major League Rugby). "They've sort of taken the tier (of players) between Shute Shield and Super Rugby. "Especially at my club at Sydney Uni, there's probably about 10 guys now playing over there and you can see the competition's growing. "Jed Holloway, Brad Wilkin are now at San Diego, a good old housemate, Maclean Jones, and Mick Shorter at Chicago, and you can see the standard is definitely rising." Conceding he has "no idea" if an American team will be the next to enter Super Rugby amid reported concerns from World Rugby officials after awarding the US the global showpiece in six years, Gordon thinks South Africa returning to the fold "would be nice". A Japanese franchise in a closer time zone to Australia and New Zealand is a more obvious option, but Gordon understands why rugby's stakeholders are considering going down the left-field US path. "It's important we grow the game," he said after announcing on Wednesday he'd recommitted to the NSW Waratahs and Australian rugby for another two years. "If they're going to have a World Cup there, we need to have some presence over there. "I'm not sure on how MLR's going. I have been watching a few games because I've got housemates over there and the rugby is progressing. "I'm not sure on their coverage and how many eyes they're getting on the sport, but you're seeing rugby league now into that market. "I think it's important with the World Cup coming up that we strengthen the home international team and maybe it's exciting and new. "Doesn't sound like too bad an idea."
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Australia star Jake Gordon rejects lucrative offers to commit to Wallabies until 2027 World Cup
Scrum half Jake Gordon has joined a string of fellow Wallabies in rejecting lucrative offers from abroad and committing to Australian rugby through to the end of the 2027 World Cup. Gordon, who had attracted offers from French, English and Japanese clubs, said he was excited by the prospect of facing the British and Irish Lions in July and August this year as well as making his World Cup debut on home soil. The 31-year-old started nine tests under Joe Schmidt last season and looks likely to vie with Tate McDermott for the No 9 shirt in the three tests against the Lions. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't see what was overseas," he told reporters in Sydney. "I thought the opportunity with Joe staying on for another year and possibly being able to play the Lions series and a home World Cup ... was too good to pass up." Schmidt last week agreed to stay on until the middle of next year before handing the Wallabies coaching reins over to Queensland Reds boss Les Kiss. "Last year, I thought I had a decent year at test level. I'm hungry to go better," Gordon added. "I really enjoyed my time under Joe, I really simplified the way I needed to play for him, which was great. To be fair, the whole coaching team did a great job and I think you could see our progression. "We really started to find our game later in the (year)." Wallabies Len Ikitau, Fraser McReight, Nick Frost, Harry Wilson, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Isaac Kailea and Lachlan Lonergan have all recently signed contract extensions with Rugby Australia (RA). Gordon will continue to play Super Rugby for the Waratahs, the Sydney-based club he has captained since the start of 2021. "I do see some longevity in our progression, I do see it getting better and better," he said. "I just want to stay here and contribute and hopefully have some really good wins."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Waratahs coach wields axe for must-win Reds battle
Dan McKellar has placed his bumbling NSW Waratahs on notice, wielding the axe for the side's Super Rugby Pacific do-or-die derby with the Queensland Reds. Fed up after losing all five games on the road this campaign and submitting 40-17 to the ACT Brumbies last start in Canberra, McKellar has made a whopping six changes for the Reds' visit to Sydney. Most significantly, Wallabies hooker David Porecki returns from a chronic calf injury while Tane Edmed will make his first start since round three after replacing playmaker Lawson Creighton for Friday night's must-win battle at Allianz Stadium. Powerhouse lock Fergus Lee-Warner is also back from a foot injury, replacing Jake Gordon's caretaker captain Hugh Sinclair, who, like Creighton, has been unceremoniously dumped from the match-day 23 altogether. With the third-last-placed Tahs' season on the line, skipper Gordon backed McKellar's hardline selection approach. Jake Gordon is wrapped up during what's been a difficult few seasons in sky blue for the Waratahs. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS) "Dan's pretty clear on what he expects," Gordon said after recommitting to the Waratahs and Australian rugby for at least two more years on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT "Same with the whole coaching team and I guess if you are not willing to meet that, yeah, he's definitely happy to make calls. "But I think he's been fair in his decision making." Centre Lalakai Foketi, flanker Jamie Adamson, second-rower Ben Grant and hooker Ethan Dobbins, who has made way for Porecki, are the other players dumped. "It's all about performance," McKellar said. "I say to the players, it's never personal. It's about making individuals better and us better collectively as a team, and that's our job as coaches and as players. "It's great to have 'Porks' (Porecki) back. A leader in our group, outstanding set piece, top three or four in the world for his lineout throwing and his physicality. "When he's at his best, he plays nice and physical. And again, he just has a strong presence within the group, provides others with a little bit of comfort." A few familiar faces return to the starting line up. 🆚 Reds 📆 This Friday 7:30pm 🏟️ Allianz Stadium 🎫 Tickets in bio#wearetahs — NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) May 7, 2025 Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami (corked leg) is out for fourth-placed Reds, but former Test teammate Filipo Daugunu will return from injury. ADVERTISEMENT Daugunu will play outside centre while Dre Pakeho shifts to his preferred No.12 spot to replace Paisami. Daugunu (leg) had been in terrific form before injury and will give the Reds a needed jolt after their morale-busting, last-minute loss to Fijian Drua in Suva last week. Josh Nasser is also back from injury in a boost to their hooking stocks while Tom Lynagh returns to the starting line-up after Harry McLaughlin-Phillips wore the No.10 jersey in Fiji.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Australia scrumhalf Gordon signs on for two more years
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 9, 2024 Australia's Jake Gordon in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) -Scrumhalf Jake Gordon on Wednesday joined a string of fellow Wallabies in rejecting lucrative offers from abroad and committing to Australian rugby through to the end of the 2027 World Cup. Gordon, who had attracted offers from French, English and Japanese clubs, said he was excited by the prospect of facing the British & Irish Lions in July and August this year as well as making his World Cup debut on home soil. "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," he said in a Rugby Australia statement. The 31-year-old started nine tests last season and looks likely to vie with Tate McDermott for the number nine shirt in the three tests against the Lions. Gordon will continue to play Super Rugby for the New South Wales Waratahs, the Sydney-based club he has captained since the start of 2021. "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 of the team," he added. Gordon will return from a knee injury for the Waratahs on Saturday as they look to maintain their unbeaten home record this season and reignite their playoff hopes against the ACT Brumbies. Wallabies Len Ikitau, Fraser McReight, Nick Frost, Harry Wilson, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Isaac Kailea and Lachlan Lonergan have all recently signed contract extensions with Rugby Australia (RA). "(Jake) 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," said Peter Horne, RA's director of high performance. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Saad Sayeed)
