Injured young gun Jordan Petaia will join the Wallabies in New Zealand for the Bledisloe Cup Tests and is still a chance to play in the opening match on October 11 in Wellington.
The 20-year-old Queenslander has linked up with the Wallabies in camp in the NSW Hunter Valley and officials confirmed he will be on the plane to New Zealand on Friday night.
Petaia suffered a hip flexor injury during the Super Rugby AU grand final on Saturday night and there were fears he could miss the first Test, with the second set down for Auckland on October 18.
The 20-year-old centre sensation didn’t return after halftime after hurting his hip while setting up a Reds try for Harry Wilson in their 28-23 loss to the Brumbies.
Wilson, who is also in camp, said Petaia looked comfortable walking around and was upbeat about his teammate’s prospects.
“He’s been doing all his rehab; he’s walking around well and he’s in really good spirits,” Wilson said on Tuesday.
“I know when Jordie is pretty happy and laughing with the boys it means something’s gone well for him.
“I really hope to see him on the plane because I know what type of player he is and the X-factor he has is invaluable.”
It would be a massive boost for the Wallabies if Petaia was available with his attacking flair a genuine point of difference.
He’s only played two Tests – a pool match in last year’s World Cup and the quarter-final against England – with his short rugby career hit hard by shoulder and foot injuries.
pm
Roar Rookie
He's not a classic 13 but he can play there. Got the skills to play anywhere 10-15 when your team's stuck. Did play 13 with some success last year for the Wallabies. I think the Wallabies are stuck for good, reliable 13s now.
pm
Roar Rookie
I agree actually. There's no obvious pick at 14 ahead of him either, if he is healthy. I think Korobeti, Wright and Daugunu all have a fair bit to offer but I don't know that playing 2 of them at the same time would work that well against the All Blacks.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
pm: I am thinking of protecting him to some extent to allow some recovery but still get some value of his skill set. Just for this season.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
I have to wait 100 tests to say he’s the most exciting young player I’ve seen? That seems like a high bar. :)
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
He’s the best 13 in the world now. He made TK look pedestrian a few weeks ago. Just bashed him. Still, I don’t mind him on the right wing with a license to hunt.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
I love all of them. JP has more potential in my opinion, but hard to compare him with forwards so I’ll leave out the George Smith comparison. I might add, the Tahs chose not to sign Smith - they preferred Waugh, as did the Wallaby selectors many times. Crazy btw. Petaia was selected as a Wallaby at an age where those blokes had yet to play seniors. He’s been first picked at every occasion he’s been fit, which shows you how much belief all of his coaches have. He’s dominated all comers in most of the games he’s played. If you want to compare him in talent with players - you need to go to Campese, Caucaunibuka and Cullen.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
I haven’t forgotten those guys! Some of my favourite players. But JP looks like he’s on another level. To me he looks set to join the Campo/Caucau/Lomu tier. He’s a once in a generation player.
Phil
Guest
You always talk too much common sense,OB!
pm
Roar Rookie
Why is that, stillmissit?
Aiden
Guest
Despite being a silly boy off the field I don;t recall JOC ever not giving 100% on the field in his hey day, he was often the best player in a beaten team. I rate him at his best over Folau, not for the athletic ability, but his superior reading of the game, his soft hands, the way he'd pop up all over the place and offer support. Very creative for a winger.
Old Bugger
Guest
I just think that in this covid-riddled season, would it not be better to allow JP to rest up and fully recover, for next season?? A hip-flexor injury may look fine when you're walking around the pitch but, when you subject that same injured area to test rugby collisions and tackles, albeit when everyone including JP himself suggest its ok, then I just think Rennie is missing the boat, on this matter. This is especially when Rennie has come from an environment in NZ, where player welfare, fitness and health, has always been a major consideration, before deciding selections. It would be prudent of Rennie to just say to him to go and rest up, recover and then start rehabbing. Tell him his absence won't damage his future selection chances - just give him confidence to go away and get himself 110% fit and healthy, to return and begin his 2021 campaign, firing on all pistons. This kid is a youngster with a whole future, ahead of him. So, why the rush to get him back on the pitch and potentially damage him even more, in this hopeless 2020 season and what remains of it??
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
I think Jordan may have been rushed into top-level footy too soon. He's obviously not quite ready to make the step up. This is where a sustainable mid-tier competition would prove useful; it would give a player like him a chance to mature physically better. And none of the guff about how he's an Islander, is big physically and therefore able to handle the top-level stuff, please. This is not about his physical size but physical maturity. SBW had this problem when he first started playing NRL as well. Some backs/players are just late bloomers. Look at Ben Smith of the ABs. He really came into his own in the late 20s.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
his own doctor or the club doctor?
Jaydos
Roar Rookie
Decent but very inexperienced team. Hooper has to start if you play Wright at 6. Also, Muirhead is not in the squad i believe. I don’t think we should assume Euro/JP based players will even be available. Their quarantine rules will be different to the rest of the AU based squad…can’t see it happening.
Jaydos
Roar Rookie
JOC is not a 13. He is a traditional second five eighth, hence why is decent at 10.
Jaydos
Roar Rookie
JOC was pretty good until he got a microphone. KB also.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
True Jacko, if he stabilises his injury issues then he could be one of the best 13's in the world by next RWC.
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
his dr would have a better idea than us .
Gary
Guest
Honestly Max how could you miss Wallaby great Joe Roff who was 19 on debut. Not to mention other greats who were teenagers on the Wallaby debuts Elton Flatley and Ben Tune.?!
Ethel McAardvvark
Guest
If JP is fit and Arnold is available. 1 Slipper 2 Faaigaaa 3 Tupou 4 Arnold 5 LSL 6 Wright 7 McReight 8 Samu 9 White 10 Lolesio 11 MK 12 O`Connor 13 Petaia 14 Wright 15 Banks 16 Sio 17 BPA 18 AAA 19 Wilson 20 Neville 21 McDermott 22 Simone 23 Muirhead