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April 11, 2026 \u2014 10:42pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Carter Gordon had sealed a try of the year contender and was setting about piloting the Queensland Reds to a shock triumph over the almighty Crusaders when, suddenly, he was writhing in agony.<\/p>\n The leading contender to take the Wallabies\u2019 five-eighth jumper now faces a nervous wait to determine the extent of a knee injury suffered in his side\u2019s 31-26 win against the juggernauts of New Zealand. He was limping badly and his leg was placed in a brace.<\/p>\n It was a bittersweet moment in an otherwise enthralling encounter, particularly given he had surged into reckoning as the leading contender to clinch Australia\u2019s No.10 jumper once Queensland coach Les Kiss takes the national reins at the end of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.<\/p>\n Gordon\u2019s setback will leave the Reds hopeful that Tom Lynagh will be fit to return after next week\u2019s bye, having been held back due to a niggling hamstring issue before falling ill, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips also showing impressive signs as a starter.<\/p>\n \u201cI spoke to Carter afterwards, and we just don\u2019t know,\u201d Kiss said when asked for Gordon\u2019s prognosis.<\/p>\n \u201cHe went into the contact, he felt nothing when he came out, then he stood up and walked, and he felt a little bit uneasy and in pain. I\u2019d be guessing if I said something now.<\/p>\n \u201c[Lynagh] missed the first part of the week through a bit of illness again, but he\u2019s got this week and the bye week to work hard, so he\u2019s got to put his hand up and train well.\u201d<\/p>\n Until his injury, Gordon had been performing strongly to help expose gaps in the Crusaders\u2019 defence, with only the Reds\u2019 ball control keeping them from inflicting serious carnage on their Kiwi rivals.<\/p>\n His try was something truly magical: one that included a Filipo Daugunu linebreak, an intercept from each team, and an audacious left-foot kick from No.8 Harry Wilson, which proved perfectly weighted for Gordon to dive on after a race for the ball.<\/p>\n That effort gave Queensland their first lead, after the Crusaders opened the scoring through Christian Lio-Willie, only for some swift blindside work on a rolling maul from skipper Fraser McReight to square the ledger.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s just a reflection of what this team does represent; it\u2019s always searching for moments to find a way to make it work for themselves. They don\u2019t die wondering for sure,\u201d Kiss said when reflecting on the miracle try.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t neat and tidy the whole game, and that type of moment probably reflected that. You\u2019ve still got to find a way and fight hard for things.\u201d<\/p>\n Gordon appeared as though he was destined to guide his team home in the second term, with a break and kick from Kalani Thomas leading to Tim Ryan\u2019s try to break a 14-all deadlock, and the Reds thought they had extended their lead from the kick-off through Jock Campbell.<\/p>\n Replays showed the fullback knocked on attempting to ground the ball while being tackled by two defenders after he supported Filipo Daugunu\u2019s break, but that was quickly a side piece to the vision of Gordon being supported from the ground by two trainers.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f47381bfb896409a308df85016ff0db1d8a3da71.jpeg\")
The Reds\u2019 Carter Gordon in action during the round nine match.Getty Images<\/p>\n
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