Wallaby prospect forced to retire at 22

NEWS: Mason Gordon has retired from rugby at 22 due to ongoing concussion symptoms.

Capped four time times at the Melbourne Rebels, the Brisbane product returned to the Queensland Reds last year and debuted in an off-season clash with Wales.

The fullback toured Tonga, Japan and the United Kingdom with the side in the pre-season but suffered a concussion and was never in the frame for a Super Rugby Pacific cap with his native Reds.

Gordon’s woes has coincided with code-switching older brother Carter’s back injury that caused a spinal fluid leak and left him bedridden, stalling hopes of an NRL debut with Gold Coast this season.

“This is not how, or when, I anticipated my career concluding after I signed a contract at the Queensland Reds in October 2024, the same year I made my Super Rugby debut for the Melbourne Rebels,” Australian U20s representative Gordon wrote in an open letter on Wednesday.

“This is an unfortunate injury, however, I am grateful for the memories I have of my professional rugby career and will cherish the friendships I have made forever.”

Lachie and Les reflect on Mason’s impact as a Red ❤️🫎https://t.co/KAG1agu4R2 pic.twitter.com/VNnSanQZYV

— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) May 14, 2025

Gordon, in the final year of a property economics, thanked his supporters and said he was keen to begin the “next chapter”.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Reds coach Les Kiss described Gordon as “a quality human” who gave “all of his heart and soul and expertise to the team”.

“He’s a quality human being, you could see it meant a lot to him to become a Red,” Kiss said.

“Our thoughts go out to him.

“He was here yesterday [Tuesday] and had a good chat to the lads.

“It’s great that he’s been well looked after, but he hasn’t been sitting on his heels either; he’s been working hard on his qualifications.”