Wallabies 2024

[Alex Sharpe]

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.

Maybe 1 to 2 years of minimal competition and a lot of S&C could add years onto the back end of his career

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

Maybe 1 to 2 years of minimal competition and a lot of S&C could add years onto the back end of his career

Going to Japan would be a better way to achieve this.

It's a big risk for him, less so the NFL, who are using him as a marketing ploy to generate interest in developing markets. Of all the currently active IPP graduates, the vast majority did some part of the high school or college education in the US. Outside of those, there is the occasional Irish kicker or a physical monster who will line up on the offensive line.

 

[JRugby2]

Maybe 1 to 2 years of minimal competition and a lot of S&C could add years onto the back end of his career

Going to Japan would be a better way to achieve this.

It's a big risk for him, less so the NFL, who are using him as a marketing ploy to generate interest in developing markets. Of all the currently active IPP graduates, the vast majority did some part of the high school or college education in the US. Outside of those, there is the occasional Irish kicker or a physical monster who will line up on the offensive line.

Just remember that to him, this is not the point.

 

[Strewthcobber]

24 years old, pro rugby player for 6 of them, been in "the system" for years more. He's played in two world cups. Been yelled at by lots of different coaches, and is probably completely sick of rehab at Ballymore.

I reckon he's just bored and looking for a new experience

Mark Ella retiring at 25 vibes (notwithstanding Petaia earning millions)

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Besides the obvious that was pointed out that guys like Skelton, Meafou types are better prospects in the NFL as Lineman in the future I don't know what he brings to a scouting report they wouldn't see a few 100 of every year. If any back was to genuinly make it It would be a Jason Robinson type as a kick returner on special teams. That instant explosiveness.

You could build a case for some of the Fijians play Tight End with their athletic ability and size.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Besides the obvious that was pointed out that guys like Skelton, Meafou types are better prospects in the NFL as Lineman in the future I don't know what he brings to a scouting report they wouldn't see a few 100 of every year. If any back was to genuinly make it It would be a Jason Robinson type as a kick returner on special teams. That instant explosiveness.

You could build a case for some of the Fijians play Tight End with their athletic ability and size.

I think this is overstated. They obviously have freak athletes and a lot more of them but Petaia has a blend of strength, lateral movement and toughness that they wouldn’t see every day. Whether that’s a combination that they actually value in their sport is another question. More of a challenge is the knowledge discipline that their freak athletes that he doesn’t have and almost certainly won’t in a year of trying.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Persia was overrated for me. Maybe injuries crueler it but i think we’re seeing as good or better from some current players and agree he will be a dime a dozen over there just like LRZ is finding and VH and all others before them.
You need to go over for college not at 25

 

[Slim 293]

Petaia is probably a walk up starter on the wing for the Wallabies…

When fit, he was quite clearly one of the standout players for the Reds…

When fit…

 

[Adam84]

24 years old, pro rugby player for 6 of them, been in "the system" for years more. He's played in two world cups. Been yelled at by lots of different coaches, and is probably completely sick of rehab at Ballymore.

I reckon he's just bored and looking for a new experience

Mark Ella retiring at 25 vibes (notwithstanding Petaia earning millions)

Good on him, might as well give it a crack and a fresh environment will probably be a positive for his longevity as an athlete, regardless of whether he makes it in the NFL or not

 

[TSR]

Why wouldn’t he give this a crack. It’s not like he’s going to forget how to play rugby. Timing is probably a bit surprising given the Lions tour but if he’s going to give it a crack at all he really probably couldn’t wait any longer

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think this is overstated. They obviously have freak athletes and a lot more of them but Petaia has a blend of strength, lateral movement and toughness that they wouldn’t see every day. Whether that’s a combination that they actually value in their sport is another question. More of a challenge is the knowledge discipline that their freak athletes that he doesn’t have and almost certainly won’t in a year of trying.

Maybe, but wouldn't be by much. With 134 division 1 Football schools and 164 Division 2 they have no shortage of guys with metrics through the roof with prior game skill. He will also be judged by scouts for his inability to remain fit. When watching the draft you hear them talk all the time about guys tumbling down draft boards because they can't stay on the field or they question if the body is up to it.

I hope he can get in proper season game. It would be great to see and a fuck ton better than playing for the Dragons in the NRL.

What percentage of drafted players make an NFL roster?

So you have heard your name announced in the NFL draft. You have made it, right? Well, it is not as sure a thing as you might think.

en.as.com

Interesting read on the odds of making the NFL. I know he won't be going this path with the IPP.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Maybe, but wouldn't be by much. With 134 division 1 Football schools and 164 Division 2 they have no shortage of guys with metrics through the roof with prior game skill. He will also be judged by scouts for his inability to remain fit. When watching the draft you hear them talk all the time about guys tumbling down draft boards because they can't stay on the field or they question if the body is up to it.

I hope he can get in proper season game. It would be great to see and a fuck ton better than playing for the Dragons in the NRL.

What percentage of drafted players make an NFL roster?

So you have heard your name announced in the NFL draft. You have made it, right? Well, it is not as sure a thing as you might think.

en.as.com

Interesting read on the odds of making the NFL. I know he won't be going this path with the IPP.

I do agree that for the metrics they test he wouldn’t be high up in any single category at all, possibly an all rounder but I don’t think they care for that in such a stultifying sport.

One thing we don’t consider enough when heralding those nfl athletes is that they have next to no cardiovascular capacity. If Skelton or Bell could get away with only trying for 5 seconds at a time a handful of times a game they would look pretty incredible. Similarly if rugby players didn’t need to run so much we would have a few Saquon’s around.

 

[Ignoto]

I do agree that for the metrics they test he wouldn’t be high up in any single category at all, possibly an all rounder but I don’t think they care for that in such a stultifying sport.

NFL is a sport where an all rounder is not considered. They want specialists who are the best in that particular spot.

Hell, they have a guy specifically for snapping the ball 10+ yards accurately 100% of the time.

Defensively speaking, a CB has a completely different role to a Safety or linebacker (and different body shape).

Offensively, Jordan will be too slow to be a WR (World Rugby), too small to be a TE and not explosive enough to be a RB.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall for whoever is giving guys like Rees and Jordan career advice because they're not working in their best interests.

 

[Dctarget]

NFL is a sport where an all rounder is not considered. They want specialists who are the best in that particular spot.

Hell, they have a guy specifically for snapping the ball 10+ yards accurately 100% of the time.

Defensively speaking, a CB has a completely different role to a Safety or linebacker (and different body shape).

Offensively, Jordan will be too slow to be a WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby), too small to be a TE and not explosive enough to be a RB.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall for whoever is giving guys like Rees and Jordan career advice because they're not working in their best interests.

How is their best interest not getting paid a shit ton to train, get fit, stay uninjured and live in the US?

 

[Ignoto]

paid a shit ton to train,

Ok lets entertain this idea that JP gets picked for the practice squad.

NFL players only get paid during the season. They do not get paid every week - https://en.as.com/en/2021/09/06/nfl/1630914830_017326.html

At a minimum, a Rookie in the practice squad gets guaranteed around $12k USD per week during the season - https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl...igibility-rules-2023/vuvavtn3mbkq68spwkb5k8pz

There is currently 17 rounds + 1 bye round for a total of 18 weeks or approximately $225,00 USD.

During preseason, Rookies are given $850 USD per week as well - https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/how...breaking-down-rookie-veteran-salary-structure

Even rounding this up to a total of $250,000 USD, a Rookie in a practice squad can only expect around $390,000 Aussie bucks.


When you're already getting similar if not more money, its not this huge cash grab as we expect. However, if JP makes the run on team then its a different story.

 

[JRugby2]

It's not a cash grab. It's a great footballer having a crack at a childhood dream of playing in the NFL.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Besides the obvious that was pointed out that guys like Skelton, Meafou types are better prospects in the NFL as Lineman in the future I don't know what he brings to a scouting report they wouldn't see a few 100 of every year. If any back was to genuinly make it It would be a Jason Robinson type as a kick returner on special teams. That instant explosiveness.

You could build a case for some of the Fijians play Tight End with their athletic ability and size.

Realistically, not much. There are plenty of athletes up to par in Australia, it's the lack of years learning specialised skills that hurts potential IPP players.

The kick return is being de-emphasized in importance with rule changes, so most GMs will prefer to have a good DB or WR (World Rugby) that can do an adequate job returning kicks rather than an amazing kick returner that is a liability outside of special teams. Special teams is typically the domain of rookies or 5th/6th string players.

Very few players are able to sustain a long NFL career (excluding kickers and punters) off of special teams, and then few that did are generational talents at returning (Devin Hester) or being a gunner (Matthew Slater).

 

[LevitatingSocks]

It's not a cash grab. It's a great footballer having a crack at a childhood dream of playing in the NFL.

I think the difference in star power due to money, audience, and media ecosystem is also tempting.

The biggest stars in the Australian sporting landscape are driving Ford Rangers and BT-50s from dealerships that sponsor them. There's a pressure to always say "yeah full credit to the boys" in every interview and fit in rather than standing out. For better or worse, you're still a mere mortal.

There's a lot more money, social clout, and license to be an individual personality in the American sporting ecosystem. And that's something that could really be fun for a bloke in his 20s depending on his disposition.

 

[Dctarget]

Haha normally I'm hurt by the Wallabies' lack of inclusion in this list but Rugbypass has listed, after four games of union, Sua'ali'i as the 68th best current player in the world. Ranking above other players like: Bell, Furlong, McKenzie, Julien Marchand, Thomas Ramos, Codie Taylor. ahahah

 

[Pfitzy]

Jordan will be too slow to be a WR (World Rugby)

I dunno. They're pretty slow...