Wallabies star Jordan Petaia is set to pursue a career in American football, following a similar path as Louis Rees-Zammit.

The 24-year-old Queensland Reds utility back is reportedly preparing to attend the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) development camp in Florida in January, an initiative aimed at integrating international talent into the NFL.

Rees-Zammit made headlines earlier this year when he joined the IPP program shortly after his switch from rugby union was confirmed. He was subsequently signed by the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad.

Petaia, who has not featured for the Wallabies this year due to a shoulder injury sustained in Super Rugby Pacific, boasts a strong international career with 27 caps for Australia.

He made his Test debut at just 19 years old during the 2019 Rugby World Cup clash against Uruguay. Petaia’s last appearance for the national team was in last year’s World Cup pool match against Wales—a game that saw him share the field with Rees-Zammit.

This week, Petaia returned to pre-season training with the Queensland Reds amid growing speculation about his NFL ambitions. With his current contract set to expire in November, the Reds have expressed their support for the star’s potential move.

“Jordy’s on a pathway to some other opportunities at this stage, but we’ve got a good handle on things,” Reds coach Les Kiss stated. “He’s here and we’ve got communication with him.”

Despite previous links to European clubs and a possible switch to the National Rugby League, Petaia’s focus has remained on securing a spot in the NFL.

If successful, he would join a select group of rugby stars transitioning to American football, including his countryman Jordan Mailata, who went from the South Sydney Rabbitohs to the Philadelphia Eagles. Mailata’s journey culminated in a $100 million contract with the Eagles, serving as a testament to the opportunities the IPP program can offer.

For Petaia, the upcoming camp could be the start of a new chapter in his athletic career, bringing his skills as a versatile backline player to the gridiron.