Wallabies convert Carter Gordon hospitalised with back injury

Wallabies convert Carter Gordon is facing a delay to his NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans after being hospitalised with a mysterious injury with the club still seeking answers.

Titans signing Carter Gordon has been sidelined with a mystery back injury. Photo: Adam Head

Wallabies convert Carter Gordon’s switch to the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans has hit a hurdle following a mystery back injury that hospitalised the code-hopper.

Gordon has been sidelined by a potentially serious back condition which has ruled him out indefinitely.

He is currently undergoing tests and awaiting scan results and medical opinions.

Gordon will miss the upcoming NRL Pre-season Challenge trial matches and is expected to be unavailable for the start of the 2025 Premiership.

The Titans do not have a timeline of when Gordon will be fit to take the field but denied the injury was career-threatening.

“Carter has a back complaint and will continue to be monitored,” the Titans said.

“It’s expected he will miss a bit of footy at the start of the season, but we expect him back at some point soon.”

Gordon, 24, made the switch from Super Rugby to the NRL last year following the demise of the Melbourne Rebels.

He played a few Hostplus Cup matches for Tweed Heads last year and has impressed Titans coach Des Hasler throughout his first NRL pre-season, being one of Gold Coast’s fittest players in testing.

Gordon was slotting into the halves and backline throughout the pre-season and pushing for an NRL debut early this year.

However he pulled up sore after a training session recently and is now facing an uncertain future as he awaits advice from medical experts on the best path to take.

The loss of Gordon for at least the early part of the season will be a blow to the Titans given the uncertainty around the make-up of their spine.

Hasler is set to roll the dice and play fullbacks AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell in the halves, with Kiwis Test gun Keano Kini securing the No. 1 jersey.

Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran has been training in the middle of the field as he prepares for a new role off the bench in 2025.

Gordon was expected to start the year in reserve grade as he adjusted to the 13-man game following a rugby career which saw him make eight Test appearances for the Wallabies.

Now he is just aiming to get back on the field as soon as possible.

Originally published as Wallabies convert Carter Gordon hospitalised with back injury