Dual international Mat Rogers says Carter Gordon’s defection to rugby league is the latest chapter in “20 years of inept administration” and tips the young playmaker will be a hit in the NRL.

Gordon decided this week to join the Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal. The decision has split rugby fans with some unsure of Gordon’s value to the Wallabies with the revival in form of Noah Lolesio, while others suggest it’s another nail in the coffin of the XV man game in Australia.

Gordon played eight Tests for Australia last year but was out of contract at a time when his Melbourne Rebels club was brutally axed from the competition.

“He’ll be a bloody good rugby league player,” Rogers told Wide World of Sports.

“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.”

Rogers said Gordon might struggle at first to adjust physically to the demands of rugby league.

“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.”

Rogers said Gordon had been let down by rugby union.

“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,” Rogers said.

“And it’s unfortunate because it might have left a bitter taste in his mouth. But he’s a star. There’s no question.”

Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles told Stan Sport Gordon’s decision was a “blow for the game”.

“It is disappointing for the game of rugby because it’s not a position we’re completely flushed with depth in,” Hoiles said.

“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.

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“So it is a blow for the game – no sugar coating it. It’s disappointing.

He said he was “a little bit surprised. But that’s the world we live in, the market’s a hot and aggressive one out there and for whatever reason he probably thinks that’s the best steps for his future.”

Hoiles said many in the game felt it was a “forgone conclusion” that Gordon would be heading to the Waratahs next season, but that has created chaos in the ranks that the Titans have been able to expose.

“There’s been a lot of talk that the Waratahs or the Australian Rugby were going to try and place Carter Gordon to the Waratahs,” said Hoiles.

“Will Harrison has signed, maybe not directly because of that, but he signed overseas with a Japanese club. Tane Edmund, I believe, hasn’t re-signed yet and they’re all sitting there waiting. 

“Jack Bowen is on the last of a three-year deal I think at the Tahs next year, so I think a lot of people just thought it was a foregone conclusion that he would end up at the Waratahs.

“It is a real shame because the game took a long time in notifying the Melbourne Rebels that they were officially not going to be in the competition next year. That’s probably due to legal ramifications and why they didn’t rush to a decision, so I sort of can sympathise with Rugby Australia.

“But Rugby Australia now have some control over the Waratahs, and the Waratahs made a late decision to not continue Darren Coleman’s contract, they don’t have a general manager in place, so if you’re a young player and you’re trying to work out your future, you really want to know who you’re playing for, what style of rugby they’re playing, who’s in charge of high performance, and unfortunately for whatever reason we’re not in a position to do that.

“The Gold Coast Titans, they’ve got their house in order and they’ve been able to make a good offer I’d assume.”