Off-contract Wallabies considering European exit if Schmidt opts out

Waratahs captain Jake Gordon has admitted Joe Schmidt’s decision around staying or departing as Wallabies coach after the Lions tour will be a factor in his future too, with the halfback weighing up whether to accept an overseas offer or stay for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The ongoing uncertainty around Schmidt’s future has cast a cloud across the whole Australian rugby ecosystem, with Rugby Australia yet to offer clarity on whether the Kiwi will extend his contract past the end-date of the third Test of the British and Irish Lions tour on August 2.

Schmidt told this masthead last year he planned to inform Rugby Australia before Christmas, but weeks of silence have since passed and Australian rugby is still waiting and watching for puffs of white smoke from RA headquarters.

Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh said on Monday “it’s a work in progress around what the future looks like for the Wallabies coaching structure post the Lions tour”.

Sources familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity to speak freely, said discussions now appear to be framed around scenarios of Schmidt staying in an oversight role, not as a full-time head coach.

That could see Queensland’s Les Kiss well positioned to be a successor, given he and Schmidt worked together in the Ireland coaching set-up. Kiss, and NSW coach Dan McKellar, both delicately sidestepped questions about hypothetical interest in the role last week.

Waratahs captain Jake Gordon at training.

RA are aiming to resolve the matter by mid-February, before the Super Rugby Pacific season begins. Along with Australia’s Super Rugby club bosses, several off-contract players are also waiting to see how the Wallabies coaching situation unfolds.

Gordon is one of them, and understandably so given his re-emergence from the Test wilderness under Schmidt. This time last year the 31-year-old discussed an early release from his Waratahs and RA contract, after missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad under Eddie Jones and with Perpignan keen to sign him.

RA rejected an early release and Gordon subsequently became Schmidt’s No.1 halfback, starting in nine of 13 Tests in 2024.

Off contract at the end of 2025, Gordon is again fielding interest from French and English clubs and, at the age of 31, has a big call ahead: depart and fulfil an aspiration to play overseas, or stay to the 2027 Rugby World Cup and see if opportunities exist after that, when he’ll be 33.

Jake Gordon on his way to score a solo try against Wales.Credit: Getty Images

A home Rugby World Cup is a powerful lure for most and Gordon is yet to play in one. But having been overlooked for a year under Jones before returning under Schmidt, Gordon is also keen to understand the coaching picture before he makes a call.

“I really enjoyed my time with Joe, and the whole coaching staff. I really enjoyed the last six months,” Gordon said.

“And as all the boys have said, Joe is a great man and you have to respect his time and what decision he makes. Either way I will be happy for him, but in a selfish way I would love to see him stay on. It definitely does play a part [in my decision] for sure.”

Speaking at Waratahs headquarters on Tuesday, where he was reappointed captain by new coach Dan McKellar, Gordon joked about wishing he was younger and that he’d even tried changing his age on the internet.

Jake Gordon puts the ball into the scrum for the Waratahs in 2024.Credit: Getty

The 31-year-old, who debuted for NSW in 2017, was a simple choice as captain for McKellar. Gordon not only represented an element of consistency in a much-changed club since last season, McKellar said he was a respected leader and an experienced footballer.

Gordon admitted the end of the Waratahs’ wooden spoon season in Super Rugby last year was emotionally draining. McKellar said he and Gordon spoke soon after he was appointed and the topic of passing on the burden of captaincy to someone else was raised.

“Me and Dan spoke about this for a little bit and the back end of last season definitely took its toll emotionally,” Gordon said.

“They’re always sort of hard when years don’t go to plan. But very early in the conversation I said to Dan, whatever he thinks best for the team, I’ll do it. And he sat on that for a little bit. Over the break he came to me saying, I think you’d be best suited.”

McKellar said the Waratahs were keen for Gordon to stay for a few more years.

“He’s close towards the end, but he’s still got a few years in front of him. He’s playing the best rugby he’s played at international level. So, keen to keep him, definitely,” McKellar said.

The Waratahs kick off their trial matches on Saturday, with a clash against NSW Pasifika side at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Granville. Wallabies stars will not feature, and are slated to return the following week against the Brumbies in Bowral.