Jordan Petaia may have played his last match for the Reds, with the off-contract Wallabies back to miss the rest of the Super Rugby season.
After despondently making his way off Suncorp Stadium in the 33rd minute during the Reds’ 31-0 shutout win over the Highlanders on Friday night, coach Les Kiss confirmed that Petaia would miss the rest of the Super Rugby season with a shoulder injury.
“Likely surgery … likely be out for the season,” Kiss said ahead of Saturday’s clash with the top-of-the-table Blues.
“He’s disappointed. It’s a blow, without a doubt. A player of his calibre and the type of game he brings.
“Couple that with (the suspended) Fraser (McReight), Tate (McDermott), Seru (Uru, thumb) … some good players unavailable.”
Jordan Petaia has possibly played his last match for the Queensland Reds after leaving the field with a shoulder injury against the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on April 19, 2024. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The good news is that Petaia isn’t likely to need a shoulder reconstruction.
While Kiss didn’t go into a likely return-to-play timeline, The Roar understands he will miss up to three months with the injury.
It means he will likely miss the July Tests against Wales and Georgia.
Beyond that, the two-time World Cup member’s future in the Wallabies jersey could come down to whether he decides to stay in rugby.
The 24-year-old is considering whether to re-sign with the Reds, head overseas to either Japan or France, switch codes to the NRL, or, the most audacious of the lot, attempt to follow Welsh flyer Louis Rees-Zammit by being signed by an NFL club via their International Pathway Program.
Yet, given Rugby Australia is trying to tighten their belt buckles (yet also throwing money at Max Jorgensen to stay at the Waratahs, with Joseph Suaalii and his handsome wage to follow), Petaia is unlikely to stay in the game.
Despite Petaia’s most recent injury ensuring the versatile back can’t make a case on the field, Kiss was holding out hope he would stay at the Reds.
“Those are conversations with RA but we’d like to ensure he stays around. I don’t think it complicates anything in my head,” Kiss said of retaining Petaia.
“He’s a good rugby player … hopefully he’s alright by the end of the season and could do some more things then.”
Two-time World Cup Wallaby Jordan Petaia is off contract at season’s end. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Petaia has divided opinion in recent years, with the talented back not quite kicking on as many had hoped after featuring prominently at outside centre under Michael Cheika at the 2019 World Cup quarter-final as a teenager.
Since then injuries, as well as his ability to play right across the backline, have slowed his development but the Reds back started regularly at outside centre during last year’s World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones.
Former Wallabies inside back Matt To’omua said Petaia offered an attacking threat few others provide in Australia.
“I like Jordan at 13 and seeing him at 13 on the weekend made me a bit excited because I feel like that’s his position, it allows him to assert himself physically in both defence and attack,” To’omua told The Roar Rugby podcast.
“You saw him in 30 minutes hold up a guy and make a turnover.
“I know as an attacker, I don’t want to be running down Jordan Petaia’s and Hunter Paisami’s [channel] and I don’t know if we’ve always had that fear in Australian rugby in our midfield, so it is disappointing [he’s injured].
“I’m sure he’ll come back stronger. Unfortunately, it’s something that he’s had to do many, many times.”
In better news, the Reds are likely to be able to call on the services of Josh Flook to fill the void of Petaia to take on the Blues in Saturday’s Anzac blockbuster after missing last week’s match with a shoulder injury.
Star flanker Fraser McReight has also had his suspension for a high tackle reduced from three to two weeks after completing World Rugby’s coaching mitigation course.
That means the Wallabies back-rower will be available for next week’s clash with the Crusaders.
MD
Roar Rookie
Potato would prob do best with 2 years in NRL build up his strength, body and learn to not drop the ball in contact. He's pretty much stagnated in rugby. If he still breaks down in the NRL they won't wanna pay him big bucks after a few years and he'll come back.
Cec
Roar Rookie
:laughing: I guess I have. Good thing I’m a Brums supporter. Good luck Reds & Josh :laughing:
AppyShane
Roar Rookie
You have just fallen for the “let’s put a young broken bloke in” versus a “young unbroken bloke in” trick. Again.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Do you have details of everyone's contract? How much is Tate getting? What's Hunter getting?
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
The reality is disappointingly different.
Cec
Roar Rookie
They just lost JP so who’s next in line? Against Blues you don’t want an inexperienced player. Sorry Josh we need you there
Andy M
Roar Rookie
Agree despite being injury prone we need players of his skills and he is still developing. How much is Vunivalu being paid ??? Please !!!
AppyShane
Roar Rookie
That’s certain points banked and has to be questioned why he is out there if true.
AppyShane
Roar Rookie
Any comments on the performances of Suli Vuvuzelas, Jock Cabbage, Salami Thomas, Josh ‘Twas no Fluke, Henry Lawson Creighton and co?
mjseesred
Roar Rookie
JP take the season. Take the year for all I care. You were thrown in with men at 18 and been breaking down ever since. Rebuild yourself properly and then come back. Three more years at the Reds and you are 28 and at your at your prime. You have the Lions and then a World Cup. Just get yourself right mate. We all see what your potential is.
MD
Roar Rookie
Reds win a few games start of the season they are the best team in rugby. They lose to force and moana they are the worst. Tahs win 1 game and Edmed finally plays 1 decent game and theres an article on here hes what the wallabies need and he's finally made it. Brumbies get flogged by chiefs in march they are pretenders. They win a few games then they are the best. Noah kicks a few easy points but does nothing else and he's what the wallabies are looking for. Reds dont drop any balls cause Isaac Henry plays and Pastrami and jordan potato are out and everyone says pastrami is a dud and Henry is better. Pastrami plays 1 good game, doesn't drop the ball and everyone says he's the Wallabies 12.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Bayle Kuenzle. He can play positions 10 to 15 ???? And he’s not a bad goal kicker
ScottD
Roar Guru
He has been talked up on his "potential" but lets not forget he is also a seriously competent player.
AKAJorrieKruger
Roar Rookie
I really hope we don’t lose him to another code but he does need some kind of change I think. I reckon he would really benefit from a season or 2 in Japan, it could do his game and his confidence a world of good. Then come back to the Reds possibly in better shape…
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Vunivalu enters the chat
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
What a difference a week makes. A couple of weeks ago Paisami wasn't in the picture for the Wallabies for most here.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Tate probs about the same. Nonggor a bit more.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
No and despite the bashing you read occasionally I think the standard to be an NFL running back will be incredibly high. And if he wanted to go to the NRL he could have done it all along. It’s a great time to be a player his age with Lions tour and home RWC coinciding with peak years of his career. With 32 caps at 24 he could approach 100 in the end. Hopefully he can be a little like Nonu and go from somewhat imperfect to consistency of performance and reliability at a similar age.
PeterK
Roar Guru
not quick enough for NFL nor robust enough
PeterK
Roar Guru
Petaia is a v good bench option as a utility back