Wallabies 2024

[Tomthumb]

I think a fit Jordan Petaia is a better ball runner then JAS- his debut test match was just as good.

Problem was he never improved from there

 

[JRugby2]

I don't really get the attraction of the NFL for these blokes. Are they that deluded to think they can cross over into the pinnacle of a sport in their mid-twenties? Whilst a great athlete, JP isn't exactly pure speed or freakish size.

Attraction to me is pretty obvious. If you make it - you become apart of the biggest sporting league in the world. Money, Fame, Prestige etc etc

There are no published stats re: his vertical jump, 40m dash etc so the honest answer is - we don't know. People can't just rock up the IPP though - so there is obviously enough raw ability and talent there for him to get a look in, from a purely physical standpoint.

 

[Wilson]

Probably also worth noting that lots of those guys who "failed" by making the practice squad still earn a base weekly salary of $12,500 USD ($13,000 next year), which still compares pretty well to what they would otherwise have been earning (though it's not for a full year, I think it's a max 18 week period). Drop out at the end of that and there are plenty of teams back in rugby that would jump at the chance to sign them.

If they do make it to the proper squad the salary starts at around $800k USD, but they'd be every chance of earning more. That's a starting point already comparable to the highest paid players in rugby with so much more earning power in their future, all for relatively little risk overall.

 

[Tomthumb]

The NFL targets players form other sports in Markets that they have an interest in growing such as Germany, the Uk, Australia etc.

The players get paid well to do very little other than run around with the scout team, their salaries don't count against the cap and they don't take up a roster spot so everyone kind of wins

 

[Sword of Justice]

When you consider that a player can be cut from practice squads basically on a whim that weekly salary doesn’t looks so great, especially if you need to move yourself back to your home country immediately after being texted that you’re fired.

 

[Slim 293]

When you consider that a player can be cut from practice squads basically on a whim that weekly salary doesn’t looks so great, especially if you need to move yourself back to your home country immediately after being texted that you’re fired.

Even if that is the case...

a base weekly salary of $12,500 USD ($13,000 next year)

... is still a lot of money.

 

[Tomthumb]

When you consider that a player can be cut from practice squads basically on a whim that weekly salary doesn’t looks so great, especially if you need to move yourself back to your home country immediately after being texted that you’re fired.

But they don't count as a spot on the practice squad, they are part of the IPP program. They aren't taking up a spot so there is no point in cutting them

 

[Sword of Justice]

Even that is the case...



... is still a lot of money.

To not even play a game of football sure it is but consider that many of these players have no qualification and may not make any other squads. Practice squads get culled quickly so many of them will pocket $30k or so and then get sent on their way to figure out their lives.

Fortunately Petaia should be sitting pretty financially speaking but it would not surprise me if he takes a massive pay cut next year.

 

[Sword of Justice]

But they don't count as a spot on the practice squad, they are part of the IPP program. They aren't taking up a spot so there is no point in cutting them

That is true for IPP but players do still get waived such as LRZ if the team doesn’t see it as worth their while. He was fortunate to get picked up by the Jaguars but can only play 3 matches until he needs to be elevated.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Good luck to him. If he has a desire and dream of it then go for it mate. Life has been all Rugby for him and he may think he wants a change as well. It's a big call as he's giving up on the Lions and putting himself on the outer of a RWC if he ends up back.

Someone will crack through eventually and make it. Will it be him? I personally don't think so but I also think he offers more in American football than LRZ would.

If he was to give himself his best chance of making it it would be for the 25/26 NFL season and not next year. Superbowl is Feb with the NFL Draft usually the end of April. He has little to no time for next year so we should't expect anything next year he'll likely sit at IMG Academy training or plonked in the IPP spot of a squad which doesn't take a spot out of the Practice Squad anyway.

If he was to stick it out for 25/26 season he really cuts himself very short for any chance of the RWC.

 

[Tomthumb]

That is true for IPP but players do still get waived such as LRZ if the team doesn’t see it as worth their while. He was fortunate to get picked up by the Jaguars but can only play 3 matches until he needs to be elevated.

He isn't playing any games

 

[JRugby2]

Good luck to him. If he has a desire and dream of it then go for it mate. Life has been all Rugby for him and he may think he wants a change as well. It's a big call as he's giving up on the Lions and putting himself on the outer of a RWC if he ends up back.

Someone will crack through eventually and make it. Will it be him? I personally don't think so but I also think he offers more in American football than LRZ would.

If he was to give himself his best chance of making it it would be for the 25/26 NFL season and not next year. Superbowl is Feb with the NFL Draft usually the end of April. He has little to no time for next year so we should't expect anything next year he'll likely sit at IMG Academy training or plonked in the IPP spot of a squad which doesn't take a spot out of the Practice Squad anyway.

If he was to stick it out for 25/26 season he really cuts himself very short for any chance of the RWC.

The next season is the 25/26 season. He'll have his IMG academy time then either be picked up or cut loose.

I think he'll know by the end of next year at the latest whether there is a chance or not of making something over there - and even if he's held on a roster for that season then let go - that NFL season ends in January for most teams anyway, so he'd realistically have 2 full seasons of rugby under his belt before the RWC to get back to speed (assuming he comes home to Rugby).

Being a PONI, I'd imagine that RA would work to make it a possibility that he was reintegrated into a Super environment.

 

[JRugby2]

To not even play a game of football sure it is but consider that many of these players have no qualification and may not make any other squads. Practice squads get culled quickly so many of them will pocket $30k or so and then get sent on their way to figure out their lives.

Fortunately Petaia should be sitting pretty financially speaking but it would not surprise me if he takes a massive pay cut next year.

I think the concern around the unpredictability of being on a practice squad and how the salary isn't wouldn't apply to JP or any other IPP candidate - considering they need to come from other sports which you assume are well paid (unless maybe that sport is Athletics)

 

[Ignoto]

Someone will crack through eventually and make it. Will it be him? I personally don't think so but I also think he offers more in American football than LRZ would.

Genetic freaks like a young Skelton and Meafou would be the most likely to convert.

Guys built like Rees and JP are commonly found across the college system, but they're at a huge disadvantage due to huge gulf in experience.

Rees and JP can't even rely on potentially being better developed than the guys they're coming against. Div 1 College kids have access to facilities, coaching and support staff that leaves Rugby in the dust.

 

[drewprint]

What is also interesting is that a lot of the social media on the move, from Petaia and NFLAUNZ, also heavily loops in/collaboratively posts with the Reds and the Wallabies. Tied in with Petaias comments, it really does seem there is lots of good will here between the three parties which is great. I hope he kills it, but equally if not it looks like the relationship will be great for a potential return to Aus rugby.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Because everyone right now sees it as a bloke chasing a dream and not the NFL taking talent even though they are...

Bigger trouble may happen when he wants to come back and he'll have offers from all over.

Genetic freaks like a young Skelton and Meafou would be the most likely to convert.

Guys built like Rees and JP are commonly found across the college system, but they're at a huge disadvantage due to huge gulf in experience.

Rees and JP can't even rely on potentially being better developed than the guys they're coming against. Div 1 College kids have access to facilities, coaching and support staff that leaves Rugby in the dust.

The big fellas like Mailata are what they want and the Pacific Islander populations are getting heaps of attention. 3 top 20 draft picks last year.

College is wild now with NIL and the facilities. Some kid just singed a 10m deal at Michigan. Different dimensions

 

[JRugby2]

What is also interesting is that a lot of the social media on the move, from Petaia and NFLAUNZ, also heavily loops in/collaboratively posts with the Reds and the Wallabies. Tied in with Petaias comments, it really does seem there is lots of good will here between the three parties which is great. I hope he kills it, but equally if not it looks like the relationship will be great for a potential return to Aus rugby.

Which as a side note - is probably one of the main points of the IPP even existing - despite the low conversion rate.

Helps the NFL reach a new fan base or further engage with it, and creates a sense of novelty for fans of the team that pick up IPP players.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

True. Some bloke named Gareth in Newport is now heavy into NFL fantasy and screaming at his TV every time Tay Tay is shown during a Chiefs game.

 

[fatprop]

I think a fit Jordan Petaia is a better ball runner then JAS- his debut test match was just as good.

"fit"

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

Attraction to me is pretty obvious. If you make it - you become apart of the biggest sporting league in the world. Money, Fame, Prestige etc etc

There are no published stats re: his vertical jump, 40m dash etc so the honest answer is - we don't know. People can't just rock up the IPP though - so there is obviously enough raw ability and talent there for him to get a look in, from a purely physical standpoint.

That's a big 'if'. There are blokes with Petaia's athletic ability throughout the college system, right down to junior college. As previous posters have mentioned, even with the requisite speed or handling ability, the knowledge deficiency is significant. If he were 18 and heading to a College program, sure, but look at someone like Thomas Yassmin. Athletically gifted plus five to six years at a D1 college and he still goes undrafted. He's also in practice squad at the moment. The cynic in me sees this as potentially one to two years lost out of his professional career, which at the rate of his injuries, is not an insignificant amount.

Good luck to the lad. Not that I don't want to see him succeed, I just don't fancy his chances.