Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon is set to play a leading role in Queensland’s push for a Super Rugby Pacific finals berth despite a knee injury that will keep him out of the Reds’ clash with the Blues on Saturday.
Gordon injured his knee in the Reds’ 31-26 last-start win over the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium on April 11.
There was initially some uncertainty about the extent of the injury, but Reds coach Les Kiss on Tuesday said it was a “minor” issue “around the cartilage”.
“He’s now into rehab,” Kiss said
“Being minor, we’re hopeful it’s not too long (on the sidelines).”
In Gordon’s absence, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is expected to start in Queensland’s No.10 jersey in this weekend’s “Super Round”, in which all matches will take place at Christchurch’s new One NZ Stadium.
However, Gordon is likely to return with plenty of time to spare before the finals series, which starts in June.
Six teams qualify for the finals, with the Reds currently in fifth place on 22 points from eight games.
The Queenslanders chave a game in hand on all but one other team currently in the top-six, the second-placed Hurricanes.
The ACT Brumbies, who meet the Hurricanes on Saturday, are in fourth place with 25 points from nine matches.
The NSW Waratahs are in seventh spot on 19 points from eight games. They play on Friday night against the Crusaders.
Australia’s other club side in the competition. Western Force, is 10th on the ladder with 14 points from nine games. The Perth-based outfit has a bye this weekend.
