Latest news with #QCup
7NEWS
12-08-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Titans star Carter Gordon shares fresh details on ‘traumatic' injury ahead of return to action
Former Wallabies star Carter Gordon is set to play his first rugby league game in 357 days after an inspirational return from surgery following a spinal fluid leak. The 24-year-old will play in the halves for Gold Coast 's affiliate club Ipswich in the Queensland Cup clash with Clydesdales in Miles on Saturday afternoon. Gordon underwent successful surgery in Perth in May under the care of neurosurgeon Dr Arul Bala. Signed to Gold Coast in mid-2024 on a two-year deal for 2025-26, the ex-Rugby World Cup playmaker is yet to debut in the NRL due to injury. But he has worked his way back over the past three months, including the last four to six weeks in full contact training. Gordon's last game was on August 24 last year when allocated to the other Titans feeder club Tweed Heads. He returns to action after a challenging year and as a new father to six-week-old daughter Ellie with fiancee Abbey. 'It's super-exciting. I had a bit of a crazy year with the injury and having a baby so it's a bit of a full-circle moment,' 24-year-old Gordon told AAP. 'I came into the game fresh and I've had a lot of time to watch rugby league and learn from that so it is very exciting to get on the field and put into action what I've learnt.' In pre-season, Gordon woke up one morning with a sore back. Then he would get shooting pain in the head and the back of the neck any time he sat up or stood up. For two weeks he laid flat on his back, only getting up to go to the toilet. He would eat all of his food lying down. Gordon started feeling better and it got to the point where he could start doing some training, mainly running and work in the gym. The realisation hit home however that something else needed to be done. Dr Bala had the answer. 'I'd spoken to other surgeons and obviously there is a lot of risk involved,' Gordon said. 'That can be scary for both parties but when I saw Dr Bala in person in Perth he was super-confident to get the surgery done. He said, 'it is bread and butter surgery' and he was happy for me to start contact eight weeks after surgery.' Staying mentally strong was a challenge through the recovery process but Gordon stayed focused on the day-to-day process. 'It's hard to look ahead when you don't really have a set plan. It took so long to get the surgery done and properly diagnose what had happened,' Gordon said. 'By the time we did have a plan it was all about moving forward and looking good to come back and play. 'In the trenches with the injury it was hard to think about anything else because it was quite a traumatic experience. I'm very grateful to be out the other side.' Gordon played eight Tests for the Wallabies. He has trained at centre and in the halves at the Titans but it is a playmaker that he aims to make his mark in the NRL. 'I am playing six for Ippy (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. 'My focus right now is getting on the field and doing my best for Ippy.'
The Advertiser
12-08-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Titans' Wallaby star to play first game in 357 days
Former Wallabies star Carter Gordon is set to play his first rugby league game in 357 days after an inspirational return from surgery following a spinal fluid leak. The 24-year-old will play in the halves for Gold Coast's affiliate club Ipswich in the Queensland Cup clash with Clydesdales in Miles on Saturday afternoon. Gordon underwent successful surgery in Perth in May under the care of neurosurgeon Dr Arul Bala. Signed to Gold Coast in mid-2024 on a two-year deal for 2025-26, the ex-Rugby World Cup playmaker is yet to debut in the NRL due to injury. But he has worked his way back over the past three months, including the last four to six weeks in full contact training. Gordon's last game was on August 24 last year when allocated to the other Titans feeder club Tweed Heads. He returns to action after a challenging year and as a new father to six-week-old daughter Ellie with fiancee Abbey. "It's super-exciting. I had a bit of a crazy year with the injury and having a baby so it's a bit of a full-circle moment," 24-year-old Gordon told AAP. "I came into the game fresh and I've had a lot of time to watch rugby league and learn from that so it is very exciting to get on the field and put into action what I've learnt." In pre-season Gordon woke up one morning with a sore back. Then he would get shooting pain in the head and the back of the neck any time he sat up or stood up. For two weeks he laid flat on his back, only getting up to go to the toilet. He would eat all of his food lying down. Gordon started feeling better and it got to the point where he could start doing some training, mainly running and work in the gym. The realisation hit home however that something else needed to be done. Dr Bala had the answer. "I'd spoken to other surgeons and obviously there is a lot of risk involved," Gordon said. "That can be scary for both parties but when I saw Dr Bala in person in Perth he was super-confident to get the surgery done. He said, 'it is bread and butter surgery' and he was happy for me to start contact eight weeks after surgery." Staying mentally strong was a challenge through the recovery process but Gordon stayed focused on the day-to-day process. "It's hard to look ahead when you don't really have a set plan. It took so long to get the surgery done and properly diagnose what had happened," Gordon said. "By the time we did have a plan it was all about moving forward and looking good to come back and play. "In the trenches with the injury it was hard to think about anything else because it was quite a traumatic experience. I'm very grateful to be out the other side." Gordon played eight Tests for the Wallabies. He has trained at centre and in the halves at the Titans but it is a playmaker that he aims to make his mark in the NRL. "I am playing six for Ippy (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. "My focus right now is getting on the field and doing my best for Ippy." Former Wallabies star Carter Gordon is set to play his first rugby league game in 357 days after an inspirational return from surgery following a spinal fluid leak. The 24-year-old will play in the halves for Gold Coast's affiliate club Ipswich in the Queensland Cup clash with Clydesdales in Miles on Saturday afternoon. Gordon underwent successful surgery in Perth in May under the care of neurosurgeon Dr Arul Bala. Signed to Gold Coast in mid-2024 on a two-year deal for 2025-26, the ex-Rugby World Cup playmaker is yet to debut in the NRL due to injury. But he has worked his way back over the past three months, including the last four to six weeks in full contact training. Gordon's last game was on August 24 last year when allocated to the other Titans feeder club Tweed Heads. He returns to action after a challenging year and as a new father to six-week-old daughter Ellie with fiancee Abbey. "It's super-exciting. I had a bit of a crazy year with the injury and having a baby so it's a bit of a full-circle moment," 24-year-old Gordon told AAP. "I came into the game fresh and I've had a lot of time to watch rugby league and learn from that so it is very exciting to get on the field and put into action what I've learnt." In pre-season Gordon woke up one morning with a sore back. Then he would get shooting pain in the head and the back of the neck any time he sat up or stood up. For two weeks he laid flat on his back, only getting up to go to the toilet. He would eat all of his food lying down. Gordon started feeling better and it got to the point where he could start doing some training, mainly running and work in the gym. The realisation hit home however that something else needed to be done. Dr Bala had the answer. "I'd spoken to other surgeons and obviously there is a lot of risk involved," Gordon said. "That can be scary for both parties but when I saw Dr Bala in person in Perth he was super-confident to get the surgery done. He said, 'it is bread and butter surgery' and he was happy for me to start contact eight weeks after surgery." Staying mentally strong was a challenge through the recovery process but Gordon stayed focused on the day-to-day process. "It's hard to look ahead when you don't really have a set plan. It took so long to get the surgery done and properly diagnose what had happened," Gordon said. "By the time we did have a plan it was all about moving forward and looking good to come back and play. "In the trenches with the injury it was hard to think about anything else because it was quite a traumatic experience. I'm very grateful to be out the other side." Gordon played eight Tests for the Wallabies. He has trained at centre and in the halves at the Titans but it is a playmaker that he aims to make his mark in the NRL. "I am playing six for Ippy (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. "My focus right now is getting on the field and doing my best for Ippy." Former Wallabies star Carter Gordon is set to play his first rugby league game in 357 days after an inspirational return from surgery following a spinal fluid leak. The 24-year-old will play in the halves for Gold Coast's affiliate club Ipswich in the Queensland Cup clash with Clydesdales in Miles on Saturday afternoon. Gordon underwent successful surgery in Perth in May under the care of neurosurgeon Dr Arul Bala. Signed to Gold Coast in mid-2024 on a two-year deal for 2025-26, the ex-Rugby World Cup playmaker is yet to debut in the NRL due to injury. But he has worked his way back over the past three months, including the last four to six weeks in full contact training. Gordon's last game was on August 24 last year when allocated to the other Titans feeder club Tweed Heads. He returns to action after a challenging year and as a new father to six-week-old daughter Ellie with fiancee Abbey. "It's super-exciting. I had a bit of a crazy year with the injury and having a baby so it's a bit of a full-circle moment," 24-year-old Gordon told AAP. "I came into the game fresh and I've had a lot of time to watch rugby league and learn from that so it is very exciting to get on the field and put into action what I've learnt." In pre-season Gordon woke up one morning with a sore back. Then he would get shooting pain in the head and the back of the neck any time he sat up or stood up. For two weeks he laid flat on his back, only getting up to go to the toilet. He would eat all of his food lying down. Gordon started feeling better and it got to the point where he could start doing some training, mainly running and work in the gym. The realisation hit home however that something else needed to be done. Dr Bala had the answer. "I'd spoken to other surgeons and obviously there is a lot of risk involved," Gordon said. "That can be scary for both parties but when I saw Dr Bala in person in Perth he was super-confident to get the surgery done. He said, 'it is bread and butter surgery' and he was happy for me to start contact eight weeks after surgery." Staying mentally strong was a challenge through the recovery process but Gordon stayed focused on the day-to-day process. "It's hard to look ahead when you don't really have a set plan. It took so long to get the surgery done and properly diagnose what had happened," Gordon said. "By the time we did have a plan it was all about moving forward and looking good to come back and play. "In the trenches with the injury it was hard to think about anything else because it was quite a traumatic experience. I'm very grateful to be out the other side." Gordon played eight Tests for the Wallabies. He has trained at centre and in the halves at the Titans but it is a playmaker that he aims to make his mark in the NRL. "I am playing six for Ippy (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. "My focus right now is getting on the field and doing my best for Ippy."
The Advertiser
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Big Ben's return can chime for a loud Broncos boost
Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths Logan Magpies. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for the Magpies this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job." Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths Logan Magpies. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for the Magpies this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job." Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths Logan Magpies. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for the Magpies this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job."
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Hopes Big Ben's return can chime for a Broncos boost
Brisbane will unleash their next generation prop Ben Te Kura for the first time this year and he has been backed by a dual international to run riot against Manly. The Broncos have axed bench prop Fletcher Baker and elevated 21-year-old Te Kura for Saturday night's NRL match after the club's five losses from six games. Brisbane's 2006 title winner Karmichael Hunt, an Australian representative in two codes, has been coaching Te Kura in the Queensland Cup for Souths-Logan. Te Kura is the 205cm giant, the tallest in the NRL, who played three matches off the bench in 2024 and impressed. Now he gets his chance away at Brookvale Oval as coach Michael Maguire backs youth after former New Zealand international Martin Taupau was released from the club. Te Kura has missed just three tackles in nine matches for South-Logan in the Queensland Cup this year while making 40 tackle busts. "He is just doing his job really well as a middle - carrying hard and making sure his defensive movements are where they need to be," Hunt told AAP. "The last few weeks he has been leading from the front and setting a platform and obviously Madge (Maguire) has been happy with him. "I'm sure Madge's instructions are to cause a bit of havoc. He has got the ability to do that." Broncos veteran Gehamat Shibasaki said Te Kura would do the job. "Benny is a big boy. He has done really well and I am proud of him for how he has handled the pre-season and getting his body right and doing his reps in the Q Cup," he said. "He gives Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) a run for their money at training so I'm pretty sure if he can handle those boys he can handle anyone. "He's matured a lot. He understood he had to get fit and get his body right. He's done a lot of time with his extras and got his food right and what he needed to do to get in the team. "Madge has seen that and he's really deserved it." Broncos hooker Cory Paix said his role with Te Kura was straight forward. "My job is pretty easy. I just have to give it to the big fella and he can run over the top of them," Paix grinned. "Ben has been working really hard in the Queensland Cup and deserves his opportunity. I am sure he will do a really good job."
News.com.au
06-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Tough call': Reason behind Fifita axing revealed... and how it could lead Titans to a star halfback
The reason behind David Fifita's shock Titans axing has been revealed, and it could end up leading to the pursuit of a star halfback. The Daily Telegraph journalists Phil Rothfield and Brent Read dropped the news during Monday night's episode of NRL360 that Fifita was dropped to Queensland Cup last weekend after requesting to start on the left edge. At the moment, Beau Fermor is lighting it up for the Titans as the left edge back rower, so Hasler denied Fifita's request with backing from key players. Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. 'Apparently he went to coach Des Hasler last week and said he wanted to play on the left edge,' Rothfield revealed. 'Des backed Beau Fermor, who I think has been their best forward this year. Des told Fifita if he wanted to play left edge, go play for Ipswich in the Q Cup. 'I like it. Fifita is on big bucks but has been underdelivering for a long period of time, had the opportunity to go to the Roosters or Penrith next year, but Des isn't copping it anymore. Tough call.' Fifita had a chance to light the world on fire against inferior opposition and earn his spot back, but failed to do so, only recording 58 metres from nine hit ups for Ipswich against the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup. The Titans have lost five in a row, so they can't afford players like Fifita toiling away in reserve grade. There is plenty of pressure on the Titans, with Hasler unable to so far turn the club around despite coaching a team loaded with talent. Given this, and the fact Fifita has been quite inconsistent at NRL level in 2025, Read opined that one of them won't be at the club when this season ends. 'I don't think one of them will be there at the end of the year. Des or Dave,' Read said. With the Titans playing group reportedly backing Hasler's decision, it seems that Gold Coast players are fed up with Fifita. An extremely talented forward who has starred for Queensland, Fifita just hasn't been able to recapture his best form in 2025 and is too often too quiet for someone of his ability. According to Rothfield, Fifita's inconsistency has perturbed Titans skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. 'We know that Tino is such a club-first player. Do you hear whispers that he's frustrated with the lack of input from Fifita?' Rothfield said. 'I'm not tipping Tino in here but it's just something I'm hear.' Being on $1 million a season, it's unlikely a rival club takes Fifita's gaudy contract off the Titans' hands. However, Read believes that even if the Titans pay a chunk of the deal to let the forward sign elsewhere, that would still leave significant money to sign a much-needed playmaker, even throwing a potential target out there. 'Someone would sign him,' Read said. 'The Gold Coast would have to chip in a fair bit of money but it frees $700,000 for them, that's a lot of money to get a halfback with. 'With a free $700k, go buy Adam Reynolds. Get Adam Reynolds for one year to lead that team around the park.' Reynolds reportedly wants to stay with Brisbane beyond this season but according to his agent, won't take a massive haircut to stay.
