Jordan Petaia was poised to make history as the first Wallaby to participate in an NFL pre-season game, but ultimately did not take the field during the LA Chargers’ 34-7 victory over the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame game. Planned to play as a tight end, Petaia’s absence was notable despite earlier reports indicating he would get some game time. The Chargers’ quarterback Trey Lance, now on his third team in his fifth season, shone with 120 passing yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to a commanding win.
Since joining the Chargers in April as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPP) class of 2025, Petaia has been training in the tight end position. This role requires substantial understanding of the game, possibly prompting the Chargers to allow him additional preparation time before their next pre-season clash with the New Orleans Saints on August 11.
The Hall of Fame game marks the kick-off of NFL pre-season and was the first televised matchup since February’s Super Bowl. Petaia has shown great potential, posting impressive results during scout evaluations, including a 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds and a vertical leap of 40.5 inches.
Having debuted for the Wallabies at just 19, Petaia brought along considerable experience from two World Cups before deciding to transition into American football. He cited a promise made to his late father as motivation to pursue this new path, which led him to spend ten weeks at Florida’s IMG Academy refining his skills before demonstrating his talent to NFL scouts.
Despite not taking the field in this debut, Petaia’s journey from rugby to the NFL reflects his commitment to succeed in a new sport, fuelling both his ambitions and those of his supporters.