Backline ace Jordan Petaia has knocked back massive club offers from France and England to re-sign at home until the end of 2024 in a major win for Rugby Australia.
Petaia’s ambitions to play a strong role for the Wallabies at next year’s Rugby World Cup in France were central to his new two-year deal.
At 22, Petaia is one of the undoubted crowd magnets for the code domestically and has been since scoring a try on debut for the Wallabies against Uruguay at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Rugby Australia has dug deep to keep such a jewel playing in Australia with the Queensland Reds. Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said only last weekend that the “massive money” commanded overseas by several current Wallabies meant “with our budget we can’t afford to bring them home.”
Reds General Manager – Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley revealed that it took a major effort to fend off the hungry advances of top clubs overseas.
“It’s a great outcome for the Reds and Wallabies. There was extraordinary interest in Jordy from some of the world’s biggest spending clubs so I’d like to acknowledge RA and Jordy’s manager for their efforts to get a positive result through the negotiation,” Cordingley said.
“We are delighted that Jordy has committed through 2024.
“Jordy is a wonderful talent and an outstanding young man. We are proud to have him at our club.”
Petaia has played outside centre and wing for the Wallabies but will be at fullback for the Reds in Saturday night’s clash against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
Rennie is upbeat about the progress Petaia is making at fullback where he gets more involved with his dangerous running game and his skills under the high ball can be extremely valuable.
The new deal with the 16-Test back continues the positive trend of re-signings with Darcy Swain, Andrew Kellaway, Izack Rodda and Izaia Perese all re-committing to Australian rugby this month.
Petaia confirmed there were offers from clubs in France and England but is pleased his immediate future has been settled in Australia.
"There were a couple of offers but the best decision for me was to stick around here and develop my footy with a great club in Queensland and in Australia," Petaia said.
"I've got a lot of improving to do. basic skills is one area because I’ve probably missed out (on some development) being injured over the last few years.
"I think I owe it to myself to keep growing."
Petaia said he was looking forward to another step in his education at fullback by playing the waratahs at Suncorp stadium.
"I’ve been hoping to get this opportunity (at fullback) for a few years. you train all week in all the facets and then it's doing things under the intensity of a game to keep developing," he said.
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Rennie is excited that the best is still ahead for the 98kg back.
“At only 22, he’s still scratching the surface of what he is capable of as a player. Remaining in Brisbane will give him stability to grow off the field as well,” Rennie said.
“He’s an outstanding athlete who is developing his skill set and game awareness as well as making shifts in his preparation which ensures he’ll get the most out of his potential.
“Jordan’s an impressive young man and his re-commitment to Australian rugby is a massive positive for Red and Wallabies supporters.”
