Rugby convert's NRL comeback takes shape after freakish health scare
Wallaby-turned-Titan Carter Gordon is nearing a return from a health scare that derailed his rugby league initiation, with hope alive he will be fit to play in the final month of the NRL season.
Australia's 2023 Rugby World Cup five-eighth joined Sydney Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase as a high-profile code defector last year, with the former showing promising signs for Tweed Seagulls.
Twenty-four-year-old Gordon was pushing for a regular spot at the Gold Coast Titans, while announcing himself as the long-term successor to veteran half Kieran Foran, before suffering a spinal issue.
Gordon struggled with back spasms and headaches following an innocuous carry in the preseason before it was found he had suffered a cerebrospinal fluid leak – a condition affecting the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
While it was initially hoped the Brisbane Boys College product would not need surgery, he went under the knife in May and has resumed running.
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It remains a scant hope for Gordon to make his NRL debut, with his return likely to come through the Queensland Cup, but he is expected to resume contact training in the near future.
Titans halfback Tom Weaver remained optimistic, as he lamented what might have been.
'He had a massive preseason – he was one of our fittest, one of our strongest, and he would have had a cracking year,' Weaver said.
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Sydney Morning Herald
38 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle
Winning will fix this issue in the short-term and last night was a start. But the problem for Flanagan snr is that the same people who didn't want him to coach the Dragons in the first place certainly haven't changed their minds. In fairness to the Dragons, Flanagan was the best option available at the time. They needed to sign a coach with experience and Flanagan has won a competition with the Sharks. The next few weeks may determine whether any request to extend his contract, which ends in 2027, is looked at favourably. At this point, he has not asked for one. All of this is happening while the Dragons have an obvious first-grade coach in their midst in assistant Dean Young, and up the road at South Sydney there is someone with the pedigree and development they need – the increasingly confident Ben Hornby. There is no evidence the Dragons are sounding out other coaches, though. The immediate issue for coach Flanagan are his comments defending Kyle in the News Corp press. 'To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,' Flanagan said. 'He's been among our best players all year. It's not me, ask the other players and coaches. I'm probably harder on Kyle than any other player.' Those comments have gone down badly with those close to him at the club. Those who understand the media game told Flanno it would be a bad idea to make such statements. There was speculation the board was not impressed, but that has been denied. However, sections of the playing group certainly don't agree with Flanagan's appraisal and defence of his son. The quotes above have been talked about by members of the Dragons playing group and also by former players who have been in contact with the current group. It was brought to my attention by those close to the players, and I was asked to make it clear that they have not been well received. This columnist was even confronted by some at the Dragons after I said I felt sorry for Kyle. I was reminded that he's on a salary that he would not get at any other club, playing in a position that he would not be playing at any other club. I've also been told that former Dragons half Ben Hunt found it uncomfortable playing with Kyle. Some players have made comments about enjoying playing on the other side of the field to him. And other players are upset by the number of player of the match awards he's received from the coaching staff. PVL defends son's role in video game group NRL boss Peter V'landys has defended placing his son in a focus group to approve the code's newest video game, which is due to be launched next month. The game, Rugby League 26, is yet to be ticked off on or even promoted, and V'landys makes no apologies for bringing his family into the process. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has also been linked to the process, and he is fuming on behalf of both men at questions over their involvement. They see it as an attempt to imply they are overstepping their roles and are going to launch an investigation into how this sensitive information made it into this column. I put information to V'landys and Abdo that detailed the use of focus groups to assess the game, which is due to be launched on July 17. Those with knowledge of the process, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, told this column that V'landys wanted to show the game to his family and have that as part of the rigorous testing process before it could be approved and then launched. 'Persons that are saying this rubbish are either being mischievous or running an agenda,' V'landys said. 'We simply wanted a rigorous analysis by an independent focus group where my son would be one of many as he plays the other sports games. We want the game to be the best in the market, so we want an honest analysis not a confected one.' Abdo said: 'Stakeholder focus group testing is a normal part of the quality control testing process to ensure the best possible user experience.' V'landys considers these kinds of video games to be a big part of growing rugby league, citing the popularity of similar NBA and FIFA games. He explained that video games introduce young people to a sport they may not know a lot about, hopefully creating new fans for the code. We contacted the boss of the company, Big Ant Studios, that has developed the game and put questions to him about the influence of the NRL bosses on the product. Those queries were promptly shut down and I was referred to the NRL. It is fair to say the hunt is now on to discover how this information became public. Bellamy key in Origin III Whatever Craig Bellamy is being paid by the NSW Rugby League, he'll be worth every cent during the next 10 days. He is the man who can help Laurie Daley overcome any post-traumatic Origin syndrome that he may have as he approaches the biggest game of his coaching career. Daley wants this win badly. He has some wrongs to right in Origin and the key for him is to maintain the calm yet inspiring demeanour he has displayed to the players in private. This is very much Daley's Blues team, but don't underestimate the importance of Bellamy and his right-hand man at state and club level, Frank Ponissi, as the Blues get ready for the decider. Bellamy has been in the background and has largely avoided media requests because he knows this is Daley's side. But Bellamy is more attuned to the high pressure and cut and thrust of big games, and the preparation that is required at such times. It is exactly why Daley put his ego aside and made Bellamy the top priority on his coaching staff when he wanted to get the state job back. Daley would not be human if he didn't think about the close calls in his first coaching stint at the Blues, when his team lost narrowly in big games against the greatest Queensland side of all time. Daley won just six of 15 games in that first stint, but many of those losses were heartbreakingly close, and it could easily have been a very different story. Those losses do not sit well with Daley, and as one of the proudest men in Blues history, this is an opportunity for redemption that he does not want to let slip. He will need to channel that in the right way and Bellamy – the coach's coach – has a vital role to play in that. NRL fears record invasion Souths boss Blake Solly will have meetings with Alex Johnston, his manager, Steve Gillis, and the NRL to discuss a range of options to celebrate the Rabbitohs winger's looming try-scoring record. Johnston scored four tries against the Storm last weekend to move to 206, just six shy of Ken Irvine's once seemingly untouchable try-scoring record of 212. He may be closer this morning after the Rabbitohs took on the Dolphins last night. One thing the NRL doesn't want to happen is for fans to run onto the field to celebrate the moment. How they stop that is another matter. Central character I'm not into rappers, but this guy must be a big deal. Central Cee has 15 million followers on Instagram and Bulldogs star Bronson Xerri was quick to post this pic after the match against the Panthers. According to Wikipedia, Cee is UK rapper Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, and he's a big deal. I'll take their word for it. Sorry state of affairs Ryan Hoffman was always an honourable and decent bloke to deal with in the media, but his defence of Billy Slater, while well-meaning, was poorly thought-out. Queensland coach Slater apologised for referencing the late Maroons mentor Paul Green in a press conference where he linked Green's death to public criticism of coaches. He was responding to comments made on radio by Aaron Woods. Hoffman was angry Woods called Slater a grub. But he then upped the name-calling, labelling Woods – his NSW teammate in the Blues' 2014 series victory – a 'coward' on the ABC's Offsiders program. It destroyed his credibility in the argument, giving Woods another victory. There has been some speculation that Slater was advised by Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin to apologise to Green's wife, Amanda. It was coming from good sources, but we have checked it out and have been told it was Slater's idea alone. Which is a good thing, as it shows he is truly sorry for what he said. We have been told the apology was as heartfelt as it gets. Ikin's blue comes up trumps Speaking of Ikin, he got the surprise of his life when he arrived at his Perth hotel for Origin II. The first person he bumped into was NSW coach Laurie Daley, who said, 'What are you doing here?' Ikin had booked himself into the Blues' team hotel. He was one of the few happy guests on Thursday morning after Queensland's surprise 26-24 win. Cobbo backers go quiet The apologists for Selwyn Cobbo have gone quiet in recent times as he embarks on an effort to re-establish his football career at the Dolphins. In fact, his chief cheerleader Gorden Tallis is now suggesting Cobbo and coach Michael Maguire had a personality clash. We will take Tallis at his word regarding Maguire, but it's worth noting that Tallis has it in for Maguire after he sacked him from a job at South Sydney. Maguire chose not to have Tallis as part of his coaching set-up when he took over at the Rabbitohs in late 2011. Tallis had a role at the club before Maguire's arrival. Tallis is the same person who has raged our revelation last year that Cobbo and the Queensland coaching staff were not on the same page. It is worth noting Cobbo has not played for the Maroons since our revelations and is now in the Queensland Cup. When we made those comments about Cobbo, a member of the Queensland coaching staff pulled me aside to say that I didn't understand Indigenous footballers. That was both racist and an admission that things had not gone smoothly in camp for Queensland with Cobbo. Cobbo is an introverted young man who is happier sitting in front of a PlayStation at home than being in the public eye. He is lifted by the love of his family and weighed down by an expectation to provide for them. Now that Tallis is telling the world that Cobbo may not be every coach's cup of tea, it stacks up to the issues we touched on last year. His issues at Queensland are very similar to the ones at the Broncos, in that his commitment to doing the small things that separate good footballers from great ones is not there. It also explains why the Broncos were only willing to offer Cobbo half of his current salary to stay at the club, and they had not prioritised his signing. Cobbo's teammate Billy Walters said publicly that the talented utility back needs to find his love for football again, which is something everybody in the game hopes will happen as he is a rare talent when he is fully focused on the task of being a professional footballer. Will Luai jump back in deep end?
The Age
43 minutes ago
- The Age
Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle
Winning will fix this issue in the short-term and last night was a start. But the problem for Flanagan snr is that the same people who didn't want him to coach the Dragons in the first place certainly haven't changed their minds. In fairness to the Dragons, Flanagan was the best option available at the time. They needed to sign a coach with experience and Flanagan has won a competition with the Sharks. The next few weeks may determine whether any request to extend his contract, which ends in 2027, is looked at favourably. At this point, he has not asked for one. All of this is happening while the Dragons have an obvious first-grade coach in their midst in assistant Dean Young, and up the road at South Sydney there is someone with the pedigree and development they need – the increasingly confident Ben Hornby. There is no evidence the Dragons are sounding out other coaches, though. The immediate issue for coach Flanagan are his comments defending Kyle in the News Corp press. 'To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,' Flanagan said. 'He's been among our best players all year. It's not me, ask the other players and coaches. I'm probably harder on Kyle than any other player.' Those comments have gone down badly with those close to him at the club. Those who understand the media game told Flanno it would be a bad idea to make such statements. There was speculation the board was not impressed, but that has been denied. However, sections of the playing group certainly don't agree with Flanagan's appraisal and defence of his son. The quotes above have been talked about by members of the Dragons playing group and also by former players who have been in contact with the current group. It was brought to my attention by those close to the players, and I was asked to make it clear that they have not been well received. This columnist was even confronted by some at the Dragons after I said I felt sorry for Kyle. I was reminded that he's on a salary that he would not get at any other club, playing in a position that he would not be playing at any other club. I've also been told that former Dragons half Ben Hunt found it uncomfortable playing with Kyle. Some players have made comments about enjoying playing on the other side of the field to him. And other players are upset by the number of player of the match awards he's received from the coaching staff. PVL defends son's role in video game group NRL boss Peter V'landys has defended placing his son in a focus group to approve the code's newest video game, which is due to be launched next month. The game, Rugby League 26, is yet to be ticked off on or even promoted, and V'landys makes no apologies for bringing his family into the process. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has also been linked to the process, and he is fuming on behalf of both men at questions over their involvement. They see it as an attempt to imply they are overstepping their roles and are going to launch an investigation into how this sensitive information made it into this column. I put information to V'landys and Abdo that detailed the use of focus groups to assess the game, which is due to be launched on July 17. Those with knowledge of the process, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, told this column that V'landys wanted to show the game to his family and have that as part of the rigorous testing process before it could be approved and then launched. 'Persons that are saying this rubbish are either being mischievous or running an agenda,' V'landys said. 'We simply wanted a rigorous analysis by an independent focus group where my son would be one of many as he plays the other sports games. We want the game to be the best in the market, so we want an honest analysis not a confected one.' Abdo said: 'Stakeholder focus group testing is a normal part of the quality control testing process to ensure the best possible user experience.' V'landys considers these kinds of video games to be a big part of growing rugby league, citing the popularity of similar NBA and FIFA games. He explained that video games introduce young people to a sport they may not know a lot about, hopefully creating new fans for the code. We contacted the boss of the company, Big Ant Studios, that has developed the game and put questions to him about the influence of the NRL bosses on the product. Those queries were promptly shut down and I was referred to the NRL. It is fair to say the hunt is now on to discover how this information became public. Bellamy key in Origin III Whatever Craig Bellamy is being paid by the NSW Rugby League, he'll be worth every cent during the next 10 days. He is the man who can help Laurie Daley overcome any post-traumatic Origin syndrome that he may have as he approaches the biggest game of his coaching career. Daley wants this win badly. He has some wrongs to right in Origin and the key for him is to maintain the calm yet inspiring demeanour he has displayed to the players in private. This is very much Daley's Blues team, but don't underestimate the importance of Bellamy and his right-hand man at state and club level, Frank Ponissi, as the Blues get ready for the decider. Bellamy has been in the background and has largely avoided media requests because he knows this is Daley's side. But Bellamy is more attuned to the high pressure and cut and thrust of big games, and the preparation that is required at such times. It is exactly why Daley put his ego aside and made Bellamy the top priority on his coaching staff when he wanted to get the state job back. Daley would not be human if he didn't think about the close calls in his first coaching stint at the Blues, when his team lost narrowly in big games against the greatest Queensland side of all time. Daley won just six of 15 games in that first stint, but many of those losses were heartbreakingly close, and it could easily have been a very different story. Those losses do not sit well with Daley, and as one of the proudest men in Blues history, this is an opportunity for redemption that he does not want to let slip. He will need to channel that in the right way and Bellamy – the coach's coach – has a vital role to play in that. NRL fears record invasion Souths boss Blake Solly will have meetings with Alex Johnston, his manager, Steve Gillis, and the NRL to discuss a range of options to celebrate the Rabbitohs winger's looming try-scoring record. Johnston scored four tries against the Storm last weekend to move to 206, just six shy of Ken Irvine's once seemingly untouchable try-scoring record of 212. He may be closer this morning after the Rabbitohs took on the Dolphins last night. One thing the NRL doesn't want to happen is for fans to run onto the field to celebrate the moment. How they stop that is another matter. Central character I'm not into rappers, but this guy must be a big deal. Central Cee has 15 million followers on Instagram and Bulldogs star Bronson Xerri was quick to post this pic after the match against the Panthers. According to Wikipedia, Cee is UK rapper Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, and he's a big deal. I'll take their word for it. Sorry state of affairs Ryan Hoffman was always an honourable and decent bloke to deal with in the media, but his defence of Billy Slater, while well-meaning, was poorly thought-out. Queensland coach Slater apologised for referencing the late Maroons mentor Paul Green in a press conference where he linked Green's death to public criticism of coaches. He was responding to comments made on radio by Aaron Woods. Hoffman was angry Woods called Slater a grub. But he then upped the name-calling, labelling Woods – his NSW teammate in the Blues' 2014 series victory – a 'coward' on the ABC's Offsiders program. It destroyed his credibility in the argument, giving Woods another victory. There has been some speculation that Slater was advised by Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin to apologise to Green's wife, Amanda. It was coming from good sources, but we have checked it out and have been told it was Slater's idea alone. Which is a good thing, as it shows he is truly sorry for what he said. We have been told the apology was as heartfelt as it gets. Ikin's blue comes up trumps Speaking of Ikin, he got the surprise of his life when he arrived at his Perth hotel for Origin II. The first person he bumped into was NSW coach Laurie Daley, who said, 'What are you doing here?' Ikin had booked himself into the Blues' team hotel. He was one of the few happy guests on Thursday morning after Queensland's surprise 26-24 win. Cobbo backers go quiet The apologists for Selwyn Cobbo have gone quiet in recent times as he embarks on an effort to re-establish his football career at the Dolphins. In fact, his chief cheerleader Gorden Tallis is now suggesting Cobbo and coach Michael Maguire had a personality clash. We will take Tallis at his word regarding Maguire, but it's worth noting that Tallis has it in for Maguire after he sacked him from a job at South Sydney. Maguire chose not to have Tallis as part of his coaching set-up when he took over at the Rabbitohs in late 2011. Tallis had a role at the club before Maguire's arrival. Tallis is the same person who has raged our revelation last year that Cobbo and the Queensland coaching staff were not on the same page. It is worth noting Cobbo has not played for the Maroons since our revelations and is now in the Queensland Cup. When we made those comments about Cobbo, a member of the Queensland coaching staff pulled me aside to say that I didn't understand Indigenous footballers. That was both racist and an admission that things had not gone smoothly in camp for Queensland with Cobbo. Cobbo is an introverted young man who is happier sitting in front of a PlayStation at home than being in the public eye. He is lifted by the love of his family and weighed down by an expectation to provide for them. Now that Tallis is telling the world that Cobbo may not be every coach's cup of tea, it stacks up to the issues we touched on last year. His issues at Queensland are very similar to the ones at the Broncos, in that his commitment to doing the small things that separate good footballers from great ones is not there. It also explains why the Broncos were only willing to offer Cobbo half of his current salary to stay at the club, and they had not prioritised his signing. Cobbo's teammate Billy Walters said publicly that the talented utility back needs to find his love for football again, which is something everybody in the game hopes will happen as he is a rare talent when he is fully focused on the task of being a professional footballer. Will Luai jump back in deep end?
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
No white flag as wounded Warriors wait on scans
NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith." NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith." NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith."
