Australian rugby star Jordan Petaia is reportedly set to switch to the NFL

| American Football | 10/10/2024

According to multiple reports, Australian rugby union star Jordan Petaia is intent on making it in the NFL.

The 24 year old, who was born in Melbourne but raised in Brisbane, is apparently set to attend the NFL’s International Player Pathway development camp in Florida in January.

If so, he would be following in the footsteps of Welsh star Louis Rees-Zammit who switched from rugby union to the NFL earlier this year. Rees-Zammit first attempted to find a spot on the Kansas City Chiefs roster but is now on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad as a wide receiver.

Petaia would seem to have the support of his team, the Queensland Reds according to coach Les Kiss:

“Jordy’s on a pathway to some other opportunities at this stage, but we’ve got a good handle on things. He’s here and we’ve got communication with him.”

Apparently, Petaia would eschew the remainder of his salary (roughly $250,000) for the year to make the jump. He has been rehabbing a shoulder injury which he suffered this past April.

The NFL IPP kick-started Jordan Mailata’s NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Sydney native is one of five internationals to crack an active roster since the program began in 2017. Another rugby union alum, Jarryd Hayne, also gave it a try in 2015 before the introduction of the IPP, appearing in eight games for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2015 season.

There are currently 18 IPP products on NFL rosters, including Rees-Zammit.

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