“Class is class, that’s why they’re taking him on the Spring Tour.”

That was the declaration of former Wallabies five-eighth Berrick Barnes, who believed that while “time will tell” if Carter Gordon could propel Australia to 2027 Rugby World Cup glory, he could make his shift back from the NRL swiftly.

Barnes, now a backs coach with Japan’s Saitama Wild Knights, worked closely with Gordon during the 2023 showcase under Eddie Jones as a kicking mentor, and saw up close the class he possessed.

Carter Gordon was immediately brought back into the Wallabies fold after his stint in the NRL. Credit: Getty Images for ARU

While that campaign marked the first time the Wallabies failed to make it out of the Cup’s group stages, Barnes believed those lessons could prove the foundation for the 2

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