Jordan Petaia ruled out for remainder of Super Rugby season, July Test series in doubt

Jordan Petaia will miss the rest of the Super Rugby season after scans confirmed the Wallabies centre will need surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

The Queensland Reds flyer missed Sunday’s clash with the Jaguares after hurting his shoulder attempting a tackle in training.

It is the second serious setback in as many seasons for the 19-year-old after a second-round foot injury ruined his 2019 campaign.

“We’re gutted for Jordan,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said before the extent of the injury was revealed.

“He’ll return home with the squad and will be looked at for further diagnosis. It’s personally frustrating for him and also for us as a group on the field.”

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Petaia, still a month away from turning 20, is the third-youngest player to accrued minutes in this year’s Super Rugby season. Just the Waratahs duo of Mark Nawaqanitawase and Angus Bell are younger than the Reds centre.

After making his debut in 2018 as an 18-year-old, Petaia was expected to make a big impact last year but ended up playing just two games before having his season cut short.

Petaia then went on to make his Test debut in the 2019 World Cup and had usurped James O’Connor as the starting centre by the time the knockout matches had rolled around.

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With Reds and Wallabies centre partner Samu Kerevi now plying his trade in Japan, Petaia was lining up as the senior operator in the Queensland midfield for 2020 but will now have to wait until next year to show off his talents in Super Rugby.

Petaia’s latest injury setback could also curtail his chances of lining up for the Wallabies in July.

The Reds have yet to win a match this year but will be aiming to break their duck against the Sunwolves in Brisbane this Saturday.

– AAP

WATCH: Reds utility back Bryce Hegarty will be looking to make a return to the starting XV for this weekend’s match against the Sunwolves.