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Waratahs captain Jake Gordon reportedly requested an early release from his contract that was rejected by Rugby Australia.
NSW halfback Gordon, who has played 19 Tests for the Wallabies, is contracted to RA until the end of 2025.
But the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday that the 30-year-old asked to be freed early to take up an opportunity in France with Perpignan.
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That request was turned down and Gordon remains in the Wallabies frame for the opening Tests of the year against Wales.
The Waratahs are sitting last after 12 rounds of Super Rugby Pacific and Gordon will play his 100th game against the Force on Saturday.
NSW coach Darren Coleman is off contract at the end of the season and is not expected to be offered a new deal.
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The uncertainty at the cash strapped Rebels has added more confusion in a competitive player market while the Waratahs have said they will wait until the end of the season to make a decision on Coleman.
“We’ve been very clear in communicating with our all our staff and players around ‘this is where we find ourselves.’ It’s very difficult, to commit to people as of today,” NSW Rugby chief executive Paul Doorn told Wide World of Sports before the Gordon news broke.
“We’ve still got work to be done in that space… and I appreciate that it’s a global market out there.
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“So, when people are offered opportunities, then all I ask – and which is what we’ve always done – is sit down and have a conversation about the opportunities that exist here. But we’re not in the business of promising people and doing things out of cycle.
“There’s a a very clear process and the timeframe associated with that. But it’s one of the most tricky things about running a rugby business, is that it’s a global game.
“And with that comes opportunities… how do you get people to continue their career progression here, and overlay that with our time frames of the decision making with three rounds to go? It’s really difficult.”
