Wallabies coach Les Kiss believes it’s the ‘ideal opportunity’ to reintegrate Jordan Petaia back into the squad for next week’s Test against the Springboks.
Petaia returns to the Wallabies for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, named in the squad for the Test in Perth.
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The former Red has had stints in the NFL and the Top 14 with Perpignan, signing for Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks.
“We've got a lot of good back three players here in the country. We make sure we look at all of them. It was just the ideal opportunity to see Jordan; he's been out of the system for a couple of years now,” Kiss told the media.
“He has played in two World Cups, we just wanted to have a touch base with him, him come and work out with us, see how he's going.
“We haven't selected that team yet, but we have selected the squad so it was just a good opportunity to see Jordan back in the environment and him to have a good look at us with the new coaching structure and all those sort of things.”
Petaia has played across the backline for the Wallabies, including at centre during his second Rugby World Cup.
Kiss used the 26-year-old initially at fullback during their year together in 2024, before stints on the wing and at outside centre.
All three remain options in Kiss’ mind, likely to compete in the outside backs.
“He's been out of the Australian system for a while, but it was important that we just broaden our understanding of what's available and how they're looking,” Kiss explained.
“There's a lot of good back three in our country at the moment that are playing here, and That's why Super AUS is important to us, so we can look at these players and see them in action and keep a good eye on them.
“Positionally, we know he's covered wing, 15 and 13 in the past, so once he hits the ground with us, we'll have a good look at it but it'll be definitely in one of those positions, likely a back three position, I'd say, at this stage."
Petaia is one of three fresh faces in the squad, with Kiss turning to Western Force recruit Harry McLaughlin-Phillips to replace Carter Gordon.
Queensland Reds prop Zane Nonggorr is also back from a calf injury, with the Wallabies primed to face the back-to-back world champions.
“We've had some good, intense matches, but we're certainly stepping up another level when we come up against Springboks in a fortnight,” Kiss added.
“We're aware of that, we know we have to be better in certain areas, and we're working hard to make sure we can improve on that. They’ll be in our backyard so we’ll be up for the fight.”
