Wallabies back Jordan Petaia believes he's grown significantly as a player since his short NFL stint.
Petaia is back in Wallabies camp for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, recalled ahead of Sunday's Test against the Springboks in Perth.
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The former Reds fullback departed the game in 2024, surprising many as he joined the NFL's International Pathways Program.
Petaia impressed enough to earn a spot with the Los Angeles Chargers, but injury derailed his chance to make the 53-man roster for the regular season.
Since then, the 26-year-old has returned to Rugby Union, first with Top 14 side Perpignan and has since signed with Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks.
With this stint in the NFL lasting less than six months and him suiting up for a single pre-season game, Petaia believes the experience was critical to his future success.
"I found myself and a way with my body," he told reporters. "I learnt how to go about my daily life differently being around all those pros.
“...I’m happy with how everything is going and where my life is at, so there are nothing but good memories. It was unfortunate how some things panned out, but overall, I’m happy with how it went."
Petaia's focus remains on the basics, learning names and structures as he recalibrates himself in coach Les Kiss' system.
The two worked together in 2024 in Kiss' first year as Reds coach, with Petaia noticing the differences in the game since his departure.
"The aerial rule is a big thing that's changed where you can't run guys off the ball so that battle in the air has changed a bit," Petaia notes.
"It's been a day, so I'm still getting my head around it all. It's been cool to get help from the boys and it's definitely helping fast-track things."
The Wallabies will continue their preparation in Perth as they prepare to face the back-to-back world champion South Africans in a rare Sunday fixture at Optus Stadium.
