Dual code great Mat Rogers believes Carter Gordon will be a smash hit in the NRL and the Gold Coast Titans have pulled off a smart piece of business in recruiting the Wallabies playmaker.
The Titans on Wednesday delivered Rugby Australia another blow by poaching Gordon on a two year contract.
The 23-year-old played eight Tests for Australia under Eddie Jones last year but had to endure the Rugby World Cup disaster and then the slow death of the Melbourne Rebels this season.
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Gordon was competing with Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh for a Test jersey this season and had also been linked with the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.
Rogers represented Australia in both codes and played 77 of his 200 NRL games for the Titans after switching back from rugby.
"He'll be a bloody good rugby league player," Rogers told Wide World of Sports.
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"A great running game, a bit Matt Burton like, a great kicking game, great hands. He's going to have to learn a little bit and get fitter and stronger because it's a bit of a different game.
"But I've got total faith that he'll make it. It's all about squaring players up and putting players in a hole - that doesn't change whether you're playing rugby league or rugby union.
"That's just ability and he's got that ability. He has to understand the structures of rugby league and learn what's important and what's not. Turnovers in rugby union don't quite hurt as much as they do in rugby league."
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https://omny.fm/shows/rugby-world-cup-inside-line/breaking-carter-gordon-signs-with-the-gold-coast-t/embed?in_playlist=podcast&style=CoverRogers thought Gordon may initially "struggle" with the fitness component of the NRL, with no time to catch his breath during rugby scrum resets.
"That part will shock him, I've got no doubt but once he finds his feet, I think he'll be great for the Titans."
Asked whether rugby had let Gordon down, Rogers agreed, but said it was part of a longer tale of woe.
"Twenty years of inept administration put the game into the position it's in and forced people's hand to try to find a quick fix. So the right place, wrong time if that makes sense. Like he was the man (as the Wallabies 10), but it was the wrong time to be that man," Rogers said.
"And it's unfortunate because it might have left a bitter taste in his mouth. But look, he's a star. I mean, there's no question.
"I've spent a bit of time on the sidelines this year watching him. He's got ability, he can play footy. League is a little bit slower than rugby union when the ball's in play, but league is more constant.
"When ball is in play then rugby is pretty quick and when you're a ball player in that position you've got to think quick. So I don't think he'll have an issue with that when it comes to rugby league."
Rogers felt Gordon may initially play five-eighth for the Titans but would eventually become a halfback.
He also shared a personal connection with the Queensland product.
"I actually pulled him aside after the Reds game this year. I just said 'man, I want to congratulate you on how you've handled yourself after last year - you are a real pleasure to watch.'
"I might have actually snuck in a little 'I know a guy that went over from rugby to the Gold Coast and it worked out alright'."
Meanwhile, former Wallabies forward Stephen Hoiles said the Gordon defection was undoubtedly a blow for the code.
"It is disappointing for the game of rugby because it's not a position we're completely flushed with depth in," Hoiles told Stan Sport.
"We're not certain who the best 10 in Australian rugby is. His name would have been there or thereabouts when they're picking the best 10 in the next couple of weeks (to play Wales and Georgia).
"So it is a blow for the game... no sugar coating it. It's disappointing."
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