Wallabies star Jordan Petaia signs NFL deal with Los Angeles Chargers after International Player Pathway success

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Jordan Petaia has joined the Los Angeles Charges as the latest product of the NFL's International Player Pathway. The former Wallaby will look to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Jordan Mailata in the United States, after the former rugby league star became the first Australian to win the Super Bowl earlier this year. Petaia will miss this year's British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

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Former Australia rugby union star Jordan Petaia is the latest convert to sign a professional deal with an NFL team, joining the Los Angeles Chargers.

The route is becoming increasingly common as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP), with former Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit and Australian rugby league star Jordan Mailata heading to the States.

Petaia received 31 caps for the Wallabies before turning to the NFL's IPP late last year, a decision which he said "took a great deal of consideration".

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He underwent 10 weeks of training at the IMG Academy before trying out at the NFL Pro Day, in front of all 32 clubs.

Petaia's qualities as a utility back in rugby lend themselves to the "tight end" position in the NFL, and he qualifies to fill an "exemption spot" in the Chargers squad, meaning he is available to be called onto the roster at any point.

Petaia's compatriot Mailata became the first Australian to win the Super Bowl, doing so with the Philadelphia Eagles in February this year. The former rugby league star said Petaia's latest move is a "great career move".

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"I am super proud of Jordan and I think the opportunity he has is tremendous," Mailata said.

"It is such a great career move for him and also great that he will be closer to home on the West Coast in LA. I know the Chargers are going to invest in Jordan, and he is going to invest and buy into the whole process. Couldn't be prouder of him."

Petaia became the youngest player to represent Australia at a World Cup when he made his debut against Uruguay aged 19 in 2019.

Petaia's move means that he will miss the British & Irish Lions' tour to Australia this year, but could return for his country's home World Cup in 2027.

Which other rugby players have been on the IPP?

A notable British export to the NFL IPP was Christian Wade, now back in the Gallagher Premiership playing for Gloucester.

Wade, with his first touch in the NFL in 2019, scorched the turf for a 65-yard touchdown in a pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts that still lives long in the memory.

Wade never played a regular-season NFL game, however, and returned to rugby in 2022 with Racing 92, before his move to Gloucester.

When is the NFL Draft 2025?

The 2025 edition of the NFL Draft is slated to take place between April 24-26 at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.

Stream the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+

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