Wallabies centre Jordan Petaia has confirmed on social media that he will be trading rugby union for the NFL as he looks to make his name in January’s International Player Pathway (IPP) camp in January.
Petaia has been unfortunate with injury in 2024 as a shoulder issue has kept him out of Joe Schmidt’s options at the Wallabies where he failed to add to his 31 caps for the country.
Midfield blow
The move for the Reds man will still be a blow for Schmidt however as he has long been viewed as a unique talent and a very dynamic ball carrier who would have been very useful in Australia’s midfield stocks.
The veteran coach would have had many options at centre with Len Ikitau and Joseph Suaalii shining in the Autumn plus there is still the robust Hunter Paisami coming into the mix.
Right time
However, the 24-year-old feels like it is the right time to make the switch in a move that allows him to chase his dream of featuring in the NFL.
“The decision to step away from rugby hasn’t been easy and one that took a great deal of consideration,” Petaia said on social media.
“It feels like the right time in my career to pursue this dream I’ve had for a long time.”
Petaia is the next high-profile move from rugby following Welshman Louis Rees-Zammit who dropped the news on the eve of the Six Nations.
The IPP begins in January and is a 10-week programme where athletes prepare for “pro day” in March where they look to impress scouts and find their way onto a roster for one of the teams.
Rees-Zammit briefly trained with Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs before being cut from the roster and he has since joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as a wide receiver.
Petaia will be looking to make an impact like the Welshman to vindicate what is a massive decision specially with the 2025 British & Irish Lions series looming.
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