Petaia: NFL stint makes me a better Wallaby

Jordan Petaia may not have taken a single snap in the NFL, but the Wallabies utility back believes his eight-month stint in American football helped him become a better athlete.

The 26-year-old returned to rugby after chasing his NFL dream with the Los Angeles Chargers and is now back in the Wallabies squad ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Springboks in Perth.

Petaia joined the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program before spending four months training as a tight end at IMG Academy in Florida. He impressed at a scouting day and signed a three-year deal with the Chargers.

He spent several months in camp and suited up for a pre-season game, but did not get on the field. A minor hamstring injury saw him waived in August, prompting his return to rugby.

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After a season with Perpignan in France, Petaia moved to Japan to join the Urayasu D-Rocks.

Despite the disappointment, he has no regrets about pursuing his NFL ambition.

“I look back and smile,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I’m happy with how everything is going and where my life is at, so there are nothing but good memories.”

Petaia said the experience also changed his approach to preparation.

“I definitely found myself and understood my body a lot more over there,” he said.

“I learned how to go about my daily life differently and watched a lot of the pros to see how they handle their business.”

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Petaia bulked up from around 100kg to 110kg during his NFL stint before returning to his rugby playing weight. He has also been injury-free since returning to rugby and believes his changed approach has helped.

“I’m definitely a bit older now, so I prepare as best as I can to avoid injuries,” he said.

“I can’t be oblivious to that [injury history], but I’m happy with my routine and the things I’ve put in place to try and prevent injuries.”

Photo: Ric Tapia/Getty Images