Urayasu D-Rocks newcomer Jordan Petaia recalled by Wallabies
New Urayasu D-Rocks signing Jordan Petaia has been recalled by the Wallabies for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup ahead of their Test match against the Springboks in Perth on 27 September.
Former Queensland Reds utility-back Petaia, 26, walked away from rugby in 2024 to take part in the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program and signed with Los Angeles Chargers the following April before being released four months later.
The Victoria native, who made his Australia debut at the age of 19 in 2019, resurrected his rugby career last year in France with Top 14 side Perpignan, making 13 appearances and scoring one try while primarily being used on the wing.
New Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his reign with back-to-back wins against Eddie Jones’ Japan being followed by a win and a draw in Argentina against Los Pumas.
Kiss’ encouraging start marks the best opening run for a new Wallabies coaching tenure since Robbie Deans in 2008 and the ex-Reds head coach is keen to assess his wider squad options with a year to go until their home World Cup.
The rugby league convert sees the one-off Test match against Rugby's Greatest Rivalry trophy winners as the perfect fixture to reintegrate their former prodigy into the Wallabies fold.
“We've got a lot of good back three players here in the country. We make sure we look at all of them. It was just the ideal opportunity to see Jordan; he's been out of the system for a couple of years now,” said Kiss.
“He has played in two World Cups, we just wanted to have a touch base with him, him come and work out with us, see how he's going.
“We haven't selected that team yet, but we have selected the squad so it was just a good opportunity to see Jordan back in the environment and him to have a good look at us with the new coaching structure and all those sort of things.”
Petaia is already one month into his pre-season at Graham Rowntree’s Chiba-based team who also have Jasper Wiese away on international duty with South Africa.
There is no room in the 34-man squad for Petaia’s Urayasu teammate and his ex-Wallabies midfield partner Samu Kerevi, who remains in the international wilderness, while recent Shizuoka Blue Revs recruit Hunter Paisami has retained his spot.
Kiss added that while Australia is blessed with a wealth of back-three options, he wants to look at more options and highlighted Petaia’s versatility.
“He's been out of the Australian system for a while, but it was important that we just broaden our understanding of what's available and how they're looking.
“There's a lot of good back three in our country at the moment that are playing here, and that's why Super AUS is important to us, so we can look at these players and see them in action and keep a good eye on them.
“Positionally, we know he's covered wing, 15 and 13 in the past, so once he hits the ground with us, we'll have a good look at it but it'll be definitely in one of those positions, likely a back three position, I'd say, at this stage."
Urayasu D-Rocks will kick off their League One season with a trip to face Mark Nawaqanitawase’s Saitama Wild Knights on Saturday 12 December.
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