As Waratahs captain, Jake Gordon is used to making the tough decisions. But over the coming weeks, the Wallabies incumbent halfback faces his biggest call to date.

Nine months after Rugby Australia rejected his request for an early release to join Perpignan in the French Top 14, Northern Hemisphere sides, on both sides of the English Channel, are lining up to sign Joe Schmidt’s preferred halfback, The Roar understands.

Asked about his future, Gordon admitted he had to make a call sooner rather than later on his future.

“It’s a fair question,” said Gordon as he was unveiled as the Waratahs’ captain for the fifth straight season.

“You’re right, talks do start a little bit earlier.

“Overseas, I’m going to have to wait and see how it all plays out.”

Jake Gordon became a mainstay in the Wallabies under Joe Schmidt in 2024. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Gordon’s desire to spend time overseas comes after a serious concussion denied him the chance during the 2023 World Cup when Toulon pounced on his services after Eddie Jones gave the experienced No.9 the cold shoulder.

While dollars often dictate decisions, for Gordon it’s a case of wanting to see the world, gain an experience, and earn a crust at the same time.

And at 31, right as a Wallabies coach has arrived and thrown his weight behind the one-club man, The Roar understands Gordon senses that the clock is ticking on his opportunity to do that.

If he waits until after the 2027 World Cup, Gordon believes he might miss the boat on being snapped up by a big-name club as top-tier internationals hit the market ahead of the game’s biggest event in Australia.

It’s why Gordon wished he could stop time.

“I tried changing [my age], I know I shouldn’t tell you, my age on one of the platforms to see if I could milk a few more years, but I’m 29 [31] anyway, so I’ve got a bit more time,” Gordon quipped.

“But what I would do to go back in time would be incredible. It’d be crazy. But anyway, unfortunately not. I still feel young, which is good, but hopefully not too old yet.”

Given Gordon’s pedigree and experience, Rugby Australia, as well as new Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, are keen for the No.9 to remain in Super Rugby through to the next World Cup.

“I think together with Rugby Australia, we’re keen to keep Jake around,” McKellar admitted.

“He’s closer towards the end, but he’s still got a long few years in front of him.

“He’s playing the best rugby he’s played at international level. We’re keen to keep him, definitely.”

Jake Gordon in action against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Were RA to lose Gordon, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Not only could RA continue to call on Gordon from overseas, but the Waratahs have two competent halfbacks, including former Junior Wallabies captain Teddy Wilson.

No one could begrudge Gordon for leaving either given the rollercoaster journey the Waratahs have gone through over the past five years, with McKellar the sixth head coach the international halfback has played under.

“I really want to have a great year here,” Gordon said.

“I’ve looked back on some of the years and I felt like, I’m not going to call them wasted years, but definitely years where we underperformed.

“I see the potential as a squad. You look across our roster now, we have a team that can play some really good rugby. I don’t want to put on where we’re going to finish or where we’re going to make, but I think we can really challenge some of the really good teams. And internally, we really believe that.

“I want to play really good rugby. That’s what I’d love to do. If I do that and hopefully put myself in a position to play Lions, if that all goes to plan.”

McKellar’s decision to turn to Gordon once again reveals his leadership ability and importance to the Waratahs.

Dan McKellar at training alongside Wallabies Jake Gordon (L) and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (R). Photo: Waratahs Media

Indeed, the new Waratahs coach could have easily turned to a fresh voice given the fresh new look at Daceyville but McKellar said the decision was obvious.

“The reality is, I think he’s the best man for the job,” McKellar said. “That’s why we’ve gone that way.

“I had that conversation with him very early on and gave him time to think about it. Is it something that he wanted to do? He had a good break and got away from rugby and cleared his head and came back and his words were, ‘If you think I’m the best man for the job, then I’m dead keen to do it.’ That’s the way we went.”

Gordon admitted he needed some time to reflect on the season, but ultimately came to the conclusion that if it was the best thing for the team he would once again step up.

“At the end of the Super year last year, I found it emotionally really sort of took its toll,” he said.

“When your emotions are high, you’re probably not thinking as clearly.

“I’ve always loved captaining here. It was always, as cliché as it is, a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood dream to play for this club. Growing up here and watching Allianz when it was packed, my passion for the club never changed.”

Jake Gordon admits he was burned out at the end of the 2024 Super Rugby season but believes the Waratahs can bounce back in 2025. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Although Gordon wasn’t prepared to say that McKellar’s arrival would fix everything, the Waratahs’ veteran said his new coach had brought a new sense of leadership.

“It’s tough,” Gordon reflected, “I also thought the coaches previously did a really good job at the time. So, it’s always hard in reflection to go, this is what could have or should have happened.

“I think what Dan has really changed is our behaviour. He is a guy that doesn’t walk past anything. If he wants something done, you’re doing it. He really pushes high standards.

“For himself as well, he’s in here, you can see him in the gym sometimes.

“He’s a guy that just won’t budge. What he wants is us to be the ultimate professionals. And he doesn’t drop his standard.”

Despite being confirmed as skipper for the fifth straight year, McKellar said Gordon wouldn’t always play the bulk of the minutes and he would back Wilson and Jack Grant.

“I think I’ve got some history with that, with how I’ve managed players in the past,” the former Wallabies assistant and Brumbies head coach.

“I look at the [Ryan] Lonergan and [Nic] White combination that I coached down in Canberra.

“We’ve got an important role to develop Teddy as a player. I’ve had that conversation with him. It’s not going to be a case of Jake playing 77 minutes and Ted comes on for the last three minutes. That’s not developing anyone.

“Ted’s got to make sure he plays well. He’s got Jack Grant, who’s trying exceptionally well also. He’s a really good rugby player.

“There’s competition between the three of them. I’m really conscious that developing players that are ready, like Teddy is, is an important part of my role.”