Not one to be bogged down in debate over what position suits Jordan Petaia best, Brad Thorn is keeping it simple at the Queensland Reds.
Fullback, centre or wing? It doesn’t really matter when it comes to Petaia if you ask his coach – as long as you stick to one rule.
“There was a move in the All Blacks: pass the ball to Jonah because he’s good,” the 56-Test New Zealand lock said.
“That’s a good move…and I just think he’s (Petaia) one of those special guys, they’re just good.
“He’s played for Australia at 13 and he’s done very well for us there and done very well on the wing and I reckon he’d do very well at the back (No.15) as well.”
The 21-year-old has been shifted from the centres to wing for the last two Reds victories, starring in Saturday night’s 24-22 win against the Brumbies.
He was safe under the high ball, intimidating in defence and soared high to catch a bomb and score the game’s final try.
But it was his pinpoint 50-22 kick from open play to set up that try that pundits will remember as the developing talent continues to show signs of evolution.
Injuries have done their best to slow his rapid rise but Petaia has already played eight Tests, most recently slotting in alongside Reds teammate Hunter Paisami at No.13 for the Wallabies.
Making the best use of his talents has become a talking point of the Reds’ seven-game Super Rugby AU winning streak that will see them host the final on May 8 at Suncorp Stadium.
With Paisami (calf) a late scratching to face the Brumbies, Thorn could have moved Petaia back into the midfield and promoted another Wallaby winger Filipo Daugunu off the bench.
Instead, he left Petaia on the flank and trusted 19-year-old Josh Flook to fill Paisami’s boots at No.13.
The extra space at the back, and the heightened kicking responsibilities, allowed Petaia to show off his returns from regular sessions with kicking guru Dave Alred.
The performance and mind coach helped England great Jonny Wilkinson develop his now-famous kicking technique and was in Francesco Molinari’s corner in the lead-up to his 2018 Open Championships golf major win.
Alred is now in Brisbane, having also worked with the Brisbane Lions’ AFL team and now teaming with the Reds’ kickers.
“Isn’t it great to see him develop his game with his kicking? It hasn’t come by chance, it’s come by hard work and working with good people,” Thorn said.
“Jordy, you give him the ball, if you give reasonable footy to him, he can beat defenders and if you put a kick up, there’s a good chance he’ll come down with it.”
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Welcome to rugby! It’s a great sport and I’m sure you’ll love it more once you get more of an understanding of it. :thumbup:
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Oily, as you state below that is up to our coaching and that, plus the academies, is where our problems lie. Look at the players NSW has discarded over the years, too many to list here, who went on to excellent careers elsewhere? BTW I am not in favour of the hype, I just don't want a guy with outrageous talent to either go overseas or more likely due to his potential to league.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Brad probably thinks he needs confidence. Wouldn’t read more into it than Thorn trying to get the best out of JP.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually it was SMI creating the straw man implying critics can’t see his talent. JP has a very high ceiling. It’s his floor that’s the issue. Fix that and he’s an easy pick in the Wallaby XV.
Ace
Guest
Coach Goon is losing it..Petaia is not Lomu..What a goose . :laughing:
Olly
Roar Rookie
Time will tell and a test for our coaching systems. Glad to see him back on the wing.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I do agree with you Bobby. Glad to see him back on the wing and he did well in this game. But, I want the hype train to stop and let's just see what he can develop into. Potential yes,.but potential is nothing without results.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh I appreciate, the way Jordan Petaia is playing ATM, but there was only ONE Jonah. No one will ever be as good as what he was, & play under the sickness he carried throughout his career, & still reach the top, as he did.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
You scared me. Sometimes there's just too much dislike and unhappiness here. :stoked:
Tony H
Roar Pro
Because he can tackle?
Amcd
Roar Rookie
I also would be happy to see Petaia do well but.... I have been watching him since he started at the Reds. I am not really seeing the genius.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Just joking, I really like his decision making
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
:shocked: I hope not. I think he could be better than that.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The new AAC :laughing:
James GC
Roar Rookie
I must have blinked as I missed that.
James GC
Roar Rookie
Fa'amausili was schooled on Friday in the scrum I don't think he is anywhere near test standard yet, it's not like he is bossing anyone at Super level.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Chris Sautia was earmarked early. In BSHS Firsts for 3 years and I think Aussie Scools the same. Aiden Toua was also identified early but in 7 years at the Reds he only played about 4 games (I tgink) because of injuries. I’d like to see Jordan given a few consecutive games at 15. He could be very good with time and space. Also he seems to have a good boot on him.
Olly
Roar Rookie
No need to rush with JP, he is young. I want him to stay on the wing and they can just work on his greater game in the background. Develop him correctly instead of just throwing him onto the hot plate and his natural position will become obvious.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
There are a couple of people here creating straw men arguments. I haven’t seen anyone here claiming Petaia is world class or a world beater yet. There’s this from Thorn -“ he’s (Petaia) one of those special guys, they’re just good.” And - “ Petaia is going to be an excellent Wallaby.” from SMI. Neither mentions world class and I can’t find “world class” in any other positive comments.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G'day Bentnuc. I've said before that I thought JP's position should be wing or fullback. I still think it should be. I think he played 13 at school. School coaches are going to play players in the position that best suits the team, not that best suits the player. Perhaps the Talent ID people at the Reds read too much into his school form at 13. What I saw last night was a young Folau, but with greater potential, yet to be realised. Yeah I know, that's what potential means. I just hope he doesn't read this and is given time to mature. If they are going to keep him at 13 in the long run, then I say again, try to get Andrew Slack to be his mentor.