Wallabies’ great hope stays calm
RUGBY UNION: Teenager Jordan Petaia says he doesn’t feel the pressure to lift the Wallabies out of the mire after confirming his four-year extension with Australian rugby.
As revealed last week, Petaia has signed through to the end of 2022.
Seen as the most exciting rugby prospect to emerge from Australia in years, he was cruelly robbed of his Test debut last week when he injured a hamstring just after being selected.
Petaia is viewed by many experts as the player who can herald a new era of success for the Wallabies with his freakish attacking ability, but the rookie is remaining grounded.
“I wouldn’t say that I am the next thing to carry Australian rugby, but if I get the opportunity to play I will do the best for my team and do whatever I can to help the team win,” he said.
“The first goal is trying to play at the highest level I can, perform to the best of my ability in Super Rugby and hopefully the national stage if I ever get the opportunity there.
“I’m still pretty young so staying with Queensland and Australia, I’m pretty fortunate to stay in my hometown and not have to travel away from family.
“That was a big part of staying in Queensland and Australian rugby.”
Petaia is fit to play against England this weekend, but it’s unlikely he’ll be risked to debut in the cauldron of Twickenham.
The grandson of former Essendon Bombers player Ray Lalor, Petaia grew up playing rugby league, had some family pressure to play Aussie rules, but settled on rugby – at least for the next four years.
“I was always thinking about staying in rugby, keep trying to get as far as I can,” he said, adding he was initially devastated about missing his Test debut last week.