Jordan Petaia is in serious doubt for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash on October 11 as a result of the hip flexor injury he suffered in the Super Rugby AU final.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the 20-year-old will be on the sidelines for three to six weeks. With Bledisloe 1 just 20 days away, that timeframe will almost certainly rub him out of the series opener in Wellington and likely Game 2 in Auckland as well.
Petaia sustained the injury during a blistering 40-metre dash to set up the Reds’ first try of the final. He pulled up five metres from the tryline to offload to Harry Wilson and was visibly hampered for the remainder of the half before being eventually substituted at halftime.
It’s just the latest in a series of injury blows which have marred Petaia’s short career. He missed most of 2019 with a lisfranc injury, and a dislocated shoulder would have ended his Super Rugby season in February had it not been pushed back due to the pandemic.
With veteran Tevita Kuridrani omitted from Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad, Petaia was the clear frontrunner to start at outside centre in the first Test of the year, and the injury now highlights a lack of depth at no.13 for the new coach.
James O’Connor played in the position for the Wallabies last year but has been the form flyhalf of Super Rugby AU and is a more natural selection closer to the play, either at 10 or 12.
Petaia’s Queensland teammate Hunter Paisami started in most of the Reds’ games at outside centre this year but is still very much a raw product, and fellow squad member Len Ikitau is a genuine bolter in the group and unlikely to see much Test gametime in 2020. The 21-year-old wasn’t included in the Brumbies’ matchday squad for the final on Saturday.
Reece Hodge is another option to start at 13 having played there for the Rebels this season, however there will be questions over whether he can make the step up to being a Test-quality outside centre, particularly against the strong All Blacks.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
JP I’m OK with but TK is next best based on his form in the final. And he’s done it at top level. No other 13 has that
Tony H
Roar Pro
TK was the best 13 in the country 3 years ago. He shouldn't even be in the conversation right now.
ME
Guest
Except Goodhue is a tried and tested better 13 who can adequately play 12. He has an existing combination with ALB and it WILL be ALB at 12 and Goodhue at 13. Ioane will get his chance at test level as a 13 but it wont be in either of the first two Bled games. AB coaches are almost always Conservative and Foster needs a tried and tested team to allow him to keep the Bled for the year before he starts getting creative.
Cant agree with you that Ioane's form is temporary. He's played 29 tests now so certainly knows what thats all about and has been a 13 as a junior to U20s and has a lot of 7s experience so he has well and truely earnt his 13 spot this season. Is it ALB or Goodhue that plays 12 is the only question I would have and I think ALB has had a better year and offers more from 12 than Goodhue does but I wont be worried if Goodhue is 12
yeah i dont get the Toomua talk.....he's older than TK yet he's still put into the selection discussions.....Time to move on.....
Sorry Billy but I dont see "Minimising damage" and "Jag a win" as being achievable in the same match. You either do a damage limitation game like Deans started using v the ABs or you go for the win and risk a beating.....Id rather see Aus go for the win and if it was my team that were the underdogs I would want them to go for the win also....
yep its time for something new.....Old didnt work so why keep going there..
soapit
Roar Guru
Kicking I'll give you but I've no worries on Koro's catching bombs
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Yeah Walton has proved his worth ..... Tahs should keep him at 13.
TJ
Guest
Bring TK in. Let him and Godwin duke it out for the 13 shirt. I know they're hoping Godwin might be the 12, but I think I'd lean to him at 13. As it appears it will be Matty To'omua playing outside JoC in the first test if Super Rugby AU anything to go by. Which if you've followed Dave Rennie work in Scotland, expect something completely different. He picks his own team and doesn't bow to pressure.
Nigel
Guest
The recall of Kurindrani is imminent and he should of been selected in the first instance. He’s a big game player as he demonstrated in the Super rugby final last week but he brings experience to the team that cannot be denied!!
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
All he comment has been about 10, 12 and 13. All individually important and important as a sub-unit. My question is, how is this sub-unit going to be used to ignite 11, 14 and 15? It may be that Hodge has the short-term qualities that DR is looking for, maybe not. I don't think it is a discussion to be had in isolation though.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The other thing about Paisami's lack of size is how he plays. Being a physical centre is less effective the smaller you are. What works at SR level may not work against test quality opponents.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Uelese at least has put a lot of rugby together. He came good in 2019, and played all of 2020 only getting injured in the last game.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Agreed. Let him miss some games now to help him play as many as possible down the track.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I disagree KCOL. Tackling and defending are two different things. Being a good tackler is executing a good tackle. Being a good defender is getting into the position to make the tackle.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Spoken like a true kiwi! :laughing:
Richie
Roar Rookie
The ABs always want to bash us!
Richie
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure the powers that be are looking after his best interests.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Acne, dandruff, tinea , croup what hasn’t he had ? He’s just too fragile. We can’t seriously play him at 13 . It’s a robust position.