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'He's got the potential to play 100 tests': Wallabies great calls for Jordan Petaia to make shock positional switch

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Jordan Petaia could be the answer as the Wallabies search for a fullback with Tim Horan urging the Queensland Reds to unleash him in the No.15 this Super Rugby AU season.

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Injuries have robbed centre Petaia consistent game time for the Reds since his debut in 2018 but he’s still shown glimpses of magic in eight Test appearances for Australia.

Petaia shapes as a key weapon for Dave Rennie in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup but two-time World Cup winner and former centre Horan thinks the 20-year-old might be most dangerous from the back.

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Rennie turned to Tom Banks, Dayne Haylett-Petty and the versatile Reece Hodge during tests last year, while NSW fullback Jack Maddocks remains an option and emerging Reds talent Jock Campbell impressed when handed the keys by Brad Thorn.

Now playing in France, Kurtley Beale was also used at fullback under former coach Michael Cheika and is hopeful of featuring for the Wallabies in 2023, when he will be 34.

But nobody has taken ownership of the position since Israel Folau’s departure from rugby two years ago and Horan feels Petaia is worth the punt.

“I’d love to see Jordan Petaia play 15 [for the Reds] and they might use him there for a couple of matches I hope,” Horan said before Friday’s Super Rugby AU season openers on Friday.

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“There’s two positions going into the World Cup where we don’t have a lot of depth; one’s 15 and the other one is 10.

“We need to look at Jordan; we have some good centres, plenty of wingers but not a lot of fullbacks going around.

“Haylett-Petty and Banks had a chance last year and nobody grabbed it.

“Put him at No.13 for a couple of games, let him settle in, but I’d love to see him have a crack at 15 to see what he’s like with a bit more space.”

It would mean shifting Campbell, despite the 25-year-old’s encouraging stint at fullback last season, but would allow Hamish Stewart and fellow Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami to grow a midfield partnership that blossomed in 2020.

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“I thought Jock was good but Jordan, he’s got the potential to play 100 tests if injury free,” Horan said.

“Playing at 15, yes he’d have to improve on his kicking game, but of the eight [Super Rugby] games he plays I’d like to see him in two or three at fullback.”

Horan also hopes Waratahs playmaker Will Harrison and Brumbies’ No.10 Noah Lolesio pile pressure on Reds five-eighth James O’Connor, who will be 33 when the World Cup rolls around.

“James maybe has one more season after this … this year and next year we need to make sure we can find [a long-term No.10],” Horan said.

“Will Harrison and Noah Lolesio really have to come on leaps and bounds this year to take us through to that next World Cup.”

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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