Teen Carter eager to forge path in rugby union

HE'S developed into a talented player at Brisbane Boys College after moving from the Sunshine Coast.

IN ACTION: Queensland Schoolboys flyhalf Carter Gordon. Picture: Karen Watson, Rugby Australia

RUGBY UNION: Mooloolah product and Brisbane Boys College sharp shooter Carter Gordon nominates former All Blacks ace, the ironically named Dan Carter, as his hero but the schoolboy No. 10 is carving out his own career path in rugby.

Gordon is the state's premier schoolboy fly-half whose presence is such he forced another quality No. 10, Nudgee College student Reesjan Pasitoa, to inside centre when the Queensland team was announced earlier in the GPS rugby season.

Gordon is a beautifully rounded player who has all the passing, kicking and handling traits you would expect in an elite fly-half.

But it is his defence which tops off his game and makes him an exciting all-around prospect for the Queensland Reds.

Gordon grew up in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Mooloolah, playing rugby from grade 1 and breathing it off the field as well. "I can't remember a time when rugby balls, posters, jerseys weren't laying around at home; and that's mostly because of my dad,'' he said.

"From a young age dad would always be throwing footy's at me and my brother Mason; he's been my biggest fan and probably the best coach I have ever had and I probably wouldn't be where I am today without him.''

It was a lovely childhood in semirural Mooloolah, with a slice of Irish flair also helping provide him with a grand foundation for his chosen sporting career.

"My favourite place to play rugby growing up was the front yard,'' he said.

"We had a pretty big rugby-orientated family from Ireland living across the road from us at the time, so we would always have games of touch or tackle in the front yard before having a barbecue and watching the Super Rugby on the weekends.''

One of those players he watched in admiration was New Zealander Dan Carter. "Everything he did on the field just made me want to be like him,'' Gordon said.

At the age of 14, Gordon replaced his family home for life as a boarder at BBC, a move which took his rugby game to the next level.

"I think moving to Brisbane and becoming a boarder was the best thing I ever did for my rugby,'' Gordon said. Just having balls, tees, fields around 24-7 makes you never want to leave, and I feel like that has really benefited me since I made the change.

"The work has been hard and it'll never get easier but I don't mind that because I love doing it. I want to be the best rugby player I can be, and I know I can't do that if I don't work for it.''