Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon says he didn't even pause to consider any options away from NSW, signing a a two-year deal on Tuesday.
Gordon has re-signed with the Waratahs and Australian rugby through to 2021 and this next contract could give him a major opportunity to cement himself as one of Australia's top halfbacks.
With his main NSW competition, Nick Phipps, leaving for London Irish after the Super Rugby season, Gordon will likely have first crack in NSW and he is already highly-rated in Wallabies circles as well.
With Phipps going overseas and Will Genia's future still undecided, Gordon's form beyond the World Cup especially could put him right in the frame for a regular Wallabies spot.
Genia and Phipps have been the mainstays of the Test scene in the past World Cup cycle, and though the potential return of Nic White adds more competition, Gordon would still be the youngest of that group at just 25, with plenty of time to make his Wallabies case down the track.
Reds halfbacks Moses Sorovi and Tate McDermott also shape as potential Test contenders down the track, along with capped Wallaby Joe Powell at the Brumbies.
Gordon made his Super Rugby debut in 2017 after a standout NRC campaign and has notched 41 Super Rugby caps in just over two seasons.
While plenty of players are the targets of cashed-up European and Japanese clubs, Gordon said he had no desire to look beyond NSW.
"I didn’t even need to look. I made it pretty clear from early I wanted to stay with the Waratahs and Wallabies," he said.
"I didn’t look elsewhere.
"I was just really happy here. I really like the direction of the club and I love the boys here at the Waratahs, I love the coaching staff.
"It was a pretty easy decision for me to stay here. "
An injury-riddled two seasons for Phipps gave Gordon his initial opportunity and the scrumhalf made the most of his chances, bolting into the 2017 Wallabies June Series squad and making his Test debut against Italy on the 2018 Spring Tour.
When it comes to a World Cup spot, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has given Gordon simple instructions to improve his chances of travelling to Japan in September.
"The big thing is consistency," he said.
"At the moment it depends if I’m starting or coming off the bench but whatever game time I’m getting I’ve go to be consistent.
"A few things I’ve focused on is the speed of my pass, that’s something I have been focusing on quite a bit over the last six months. That’s one of the keys at the moment."
Cheika said in a release that Gordon had proven he was ready for international rugby with his performances in games and training.
“Jake has been around the squad for a couple of seasons now and has shown us that he’s ready to step up to Test standard on a consistent basis.
“Halfback is a very competitive position in our squad but he knows what he needs to do in order to be selected week after week.
“Re-signing with the Waratahs is a clear indication to me that he’s committed to becoming a Test match regular and I’m looking forward to watching his performances, in games and training, back that up."
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said Gordon's commitment was an important one for the team.
“It’s great to have Jake staying on board with the NSW Waratahs," he said.
"He is an important in forming the spine of our team for the next two years.
“I look forward to seeing him take the team forward and contribute to the leadership of the team.
“Jake has a strong work ethic and always puts in the hard work. Since he made his debut for the Waratahs in 2017 we’ve seen how far his rugby has come and I see him getting even better in the years to come."
