Jake Gordon’s road from Newtown to Waratahs captaincy in Super Rugby

He hails from an inner city suburb best known for hipsters, multicultural eats and a famous old rugby league club. It’s part of what makes Jake Gordon a breath of fresh air at the Waratahs.

Jake Gordon will captain the new-look Waratahs in 2021.

Jake Gordon’s pathway to elite rugby could not be more different from the majority of his NSW Waratahs teammates.

It involved growing up in an inner Sydney suburb, public schools, a chip on his shoulder and a burning desire to succeed.

“My pathway really is different growing up in Newtown. It’s not known for its sport, for rugby,’’ said the newly appointed Waratahs captain ahead of the start of Super Rugby AU.

Jake Gordon at a Wallabies training session. Pic: Rugby AU

It also includes a famous Shute Shield club which gave him a go and the support of dedicated coaches who steered him on his own, unique, road to success.

Gordon is playing proof that despite a lack of private school connections and GPS selections, success in rugby comes to those who want it most.

And Gordon said he always wanted it most.

The 27-year-old, who played rugby league with Camperdown and the Mascot Jets as a kid, always loved rugby best.

“I enjoyed both but I just loved the unpredictability of the (rugby) game,’’ said Gordon, now living at Waverley.

Jake Gordon playing for the Students in the Shute Shield. Pic: Karen Watson

“When I left school I did furniture carpentry for six months. I figured out pretty quickly I was terrible with my hands. Luckily that didn’t translate onto the field.

“I got an opportunity with Sydney University, the best club in Australia, and I debuted with them at 19.

“I decided to take it seriously and started to do personal training to make money, would then go and do my own training, then would go back to personal training after that, for two to three years.

“At the end of 2016 I was picked up by the Waratahs.’’

Gordon said that he is confirmation a player can still make it in the game via a different pathway but the right amount of determination.

Jake Gordon being tackled by Rebel’s player Campbell Magnay.

“I didn’t make teams, I carried a little chip on my shoulder at Sydney University,’’ he said.

“When I was in first grade at Sydney Uni I didn’t get picked for the Wallabies under 20s, I was overlooked.

“I was never in the Waratahs Academy, never in the rugby fraternity.

“I’m competitive and when I train, I train hard.

“When I hit the field I want to get myself in a dark place.

“I definitely think maybe there was a bit of tall poppy. I dreamt of being a professional rugby player. I saw people make teams I thought I could be part of it.”

Gordon said his involvement with the Sydney University club helped make him the player he is today.

“I was always athletic and quick and could score tries but I never got coached how to make a pass and kick the ball,“ he said

“I was quite rough around the edges. Sydney Uni taught me to play halfback.

“I knew if I could improve my skills I had the ability to make it.”

Jake Gordon in the 2020 Bledisloe Cup match.

With 55 caps for the Waratahs, Gordon said he wants to be a captain who is approachable and willing to share knowledge and his experience with younger players.

“I want to be approachable. I have said to the squad I want to be open to feedback, open to discussion. I also want to be the captain who can pull the trigger.

“I really want to bring the young guys through. I had some great mentors. But I want to provide them with stuff I wish I had.

Gordon, described by coach Rob Penny as “a fierce competitor and a true blue Tah who will give everything he has for the team”, made his Super Rugby debut in 2017 against the Lions in Johannesburg and was called into the Wallabies squad the same year, debuting for Australia against Italy.

For an assortment of reasons the Waratahs will be without the likes of Ned Hanigan, Tom Robertson, Tom Staniforth, Karmichael Hunt and Michael Hooper this season.

The Waratahs first match of Super Rugby Au is against the Queensland Reds on February 19.

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Originally published as Jake Gordon’s road from Newtown to Waratahs captaincy in Super Rugby