Wallaby Jordan Petaia says he’s attracting interest from two other football codes as well as Japanese rugby as he heads into the final year of his contract with Queensland and Rugby Australia.
Petaia told Newscorp that he has “the whole year to figure out what to do”.
In an interview, it was revealed he had fielded interest from a Queensland based NRL club (unnamed), Japanese rugby and scouts from the NFL’s International Player Pathway system.
Petaia is close friends with Mark Nawaqanitawase, who recently opted to move to the NRL after this season.
“I don’t know about other players but there’s not too much pressure around that sort of stuff,” Petaia said.
“It doesn’t change anything with my mindset. I’m focused at the Reds this year and for however long that is, but I’m just focused on this environment and doing what’s best for this team.
“I’ve had a few questions about [the NRL] but it’s still so early in the year. I still have this whole year to figure out what I’m going to do.
“I’m just enjoying my time at the Reds and trying to build a winning culture here, and see what options I’ve got at the end of the year with my manager.“ He takes care of most that stuff and is fairly switched on there. I’ve got the easy job, I’ve just got to play footy and keep healthy.”
Petaia said he was “stoked” for Nawaqanitawase.
“I spoke to him the day of the [Roosters] announcement as well. He was happy about it all.
“I’m sure he’ll do great things in that code. He still has another year [of Super Rugby] to go, so we’re going to battle it out this year and have a laugh.
“Whatever he tries to do, as a mate, we’re happy to see.”
Petaia meanwhile welcomed the arrival of the Wallabies new coach.
“I don’t know a lot about Joe Schmidt,” Petaia said. “He’s coached a lot in the northern hemisphere but I’m glad someone has filled that role and it’s exciting for Australian rugby.
“I’ve never said I was going to leave rugby but the winning is always good.
“A part of last year was just moving on from that campaign and we’re starting a new leaf. We always want to build a winning culture, that doesn’t really shape what I’m going to do, but you always want to be part of a winning culture. I’ll cross that bridge when it comes.”