He might be the new kid on Ballymore’s block but Mason Gordon has an old head on those young shoulders
At just 21, Gordon is midway through his fifth Super Rugby pre-season after linking up with the Melbourne Rebels as a fresh-faced 17-year-old alongside older brother Carter.
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Jumping from schoolboy rugby to steering a Test-laden backline around Gosch’s Paddock is no mean feat but the young playmaker wouldn’t have it any other way as he prepares for his next Super Rugby Pacific chapter with Queensland.
“It was October 2020, I’d just finished school, and probably six days afterwards I headed down (from Brisbane) and did four years down there,” Gordon told rugby.com.au.
“I was pretty fortunate to have (Carter) but for any young playmaker coming through, it's pretty demanding.
“Guys like Matt Toomua, you know, you'd be in at 10 and he's getting reps at 12 - it's pretty daunting telling those boys what to do and being by far the youngest in the squad.
“But it was good and it makes you mature, especially as a playmaker because you've just got to be out of your comfort zone.
“You've got to be telling people what to do and I had to mature in that sense at 17. It was really important for my growth and any young kids' growth to do that kind of stuff.”
Equally adept at 10 and 15, Gordon has been training primarily as a fullback with Queensland alongside Jock Campbell after honing his craft as a teenager in Melbourne under the likes of Dane Haylett-Petty and Andrew Kellaway.
He hasn't ruled out time in the saddle at 10, however, Gordon's approach to the 15 role already shows signs of each Wallaby mentor.
“I was pretty fortunate to have Wallabies left right and centre (in Melbourne) and here I've got guys like Jock that have really helped me settle in and be comfortable in the shape,” Gordon said.
“More so as of recently, I’ve moved (to fullback) but I’d say more of a playmaking fullback - definitely not your Israel Folau type - but someone that can help control a game.
“I feel guys like Willie Le Roux, guys that can insert themselves as a threat and a running threat but also has an unbelievable kick and is able to help out the front line attack, that’s where a lot of (fullbacks) are leaning towards
“Guys like Will Jordan too, lots of speed, skill but guys who understand the game really well.
“At the moment, I'm pretty fresh so I'm trying to show what my strengths are and crack down on what I need to work on.
“If the opportunity came I'd be confident in my ability but I've just got to be patient. I don't want to throw my hand up and not be over everything.”
He may call himself "fresh" but it’s clear Gordon doesn’t shirk a challenge and though he missed selection in Queensland's 82-21 thrashing of an understrength Bristol, he's likely to lace up in this week's Ulster clash.
Even if he doesn't take the field, Gordon's approach is a simple one: just do your part.
“Focusing on the week ahead is something I've been big on - what does the day look like, what does the week look like - and things will come, you know," he told rugby.com.au.
"I've just got to live in the present. Things like playing the Lions at Suncorp would be an unbelievable experience but playing some good rugby for the Reds is first. We've an unbelievable roster and you just want to do your part.”
Old head, young shoulders.
