He picked up the pieces after his side’s worst season in history and now Jake Gordon has a chance to lead NSW out of the mire in 2022.
Gordon has been unveiled as Waratahs captain for a second season, as coach Darren Coleman charts a new era for the underperforming side.
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon wants to make his second season a winning one. Credit:Getty
The 10-Test halfback said his top priority was ensuring the team never again went winless in a season, but conceded the horror run was a strange mix of emotions for him.
“As hard as last year was, being captain of NSW is something I’m pretty proud of,” Gordon said. “Last year was quite interesting, it was bittersweet. I was so proud to be captain but to go none from 13 (games) was not a record I was proud of either.”
Gordon beat Queensland counterpart Tate McDermott to starting honours in two of Australia’s three Tests against France last year while Nic White recovered from a knee injury, but did not feature again in a Wallabies jersey after the Bledisloe Cup series.
The 28-year-old was upfront about his motivations to make a difference at the Waratahs.
“I didn’t finish the Wallabies year the way I wanted to, so I have a point to prove there,” Gordon said. “I’m really proud to be the NSW captain and I’m really excited for the year.”
Gordon’s selection sets up a tantalising duel with newly crowned Reds co-captain McDermott. The Waratahs host the Reds at Leichhardt Oval in round two this month but will have a preview when the sides meet in a trial game in the outback Queensland town of Roma this week. Gordon said he would relish the encounter.
“I aspire to wear the Wallabies No.9 jersey at Test level but there’s great competition there between Tate and Nic,” he said. “There’ll be plenty of extra feeling there when we’re playing each other for representative honours.”
Gordon leads Waratahs into new era after ‘bittersweet’ season
Source: Philippines Alive
