Former Queensland Reds utility back Jordan Petaia has been recalled to the Wallabies squad for their one-off Test against the Springboks in Perth later this month.
Petaia, who recently joined Japan Rugby League One outfit Urayasu D-Rocks, last represented Australia at international level during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The 26-year-old left Australian rugby in 2024 to pursue a dream in the NFL where he had a trial with the Los Angeles Chargers.
That move did not work out and Petaia eventually joined Top 14 club Perpignan, who he represented in 12 matches during the 2024/25 season.
Highly rated in Australia
Before his code switch, Petaia was highly rated in Australia and he made his Wallabies debut while still a teenager against Uruguay during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Meanwhile, in other squad changes after the recent two-Test series win over Los Pumas in Argentina, Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has called up uncapped playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips for a potential debut as a replacement for Carter Gordon, who is sidelined with a leg fracture.
McLaughlin-Phillips started for the Western Force in the Super Rugby AUS opener this past weekend and kicked the winning points for his new side against his former one the Queensland Reds.
The fly-half was part of the Australia U20s at the 2023 and 2024 World Rugby U20 Championships and also served as back-up during the Wallabies’ recent Nations Championship Tests against Ireland, France and Italy.
Reds prop Zane Nonggorr (calf) also returns from injury, replacing Wallaby number 1000 Massimo De Lutiis, while his club-mate Jock Campbell (full-back) is also included in squad after he was a late arrival in Argentina for Dylan Pietsch, who is still sidelined due to injury.
The squad will assemble in Perth on Friday ahead of their eagerly anticipated clash with South Africa. The Springboks are fresh off a 3-1 series win over the All Blacks after a 43-28 victory in the fourth and final Test in Baltimore this past weekend.
Kiss is looking forward to the challenge against the back-to-back world champions.
“We’ve learned a bit more about ourselves as a group over the last four Tests, and we know we still have a lot to work on to get to where we want to be,” he said.
“South Africa have been the benchmark team in World Rugby for a long time, and we’re motivated by the challenge of meeting them in our own backyard in two weeks’ time.”
Wallabies squad for the Test against the Springboks
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson (c)
Backs: Jock Campbell, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright
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