The Reds have backed Jordan Petaia’s decision to chase his NFL dream, with the Wallabies star to attend the International Player Pathway (IPP) development camp in Florida in January.

Petaia, who hasn’t featured at all for the Wallabies this year due to a shoulder injury he suffered in April during Queensland‘s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, has this week returned to pre-season training with the Reds.

The backline excitement machine will continue to train with Queensland until his contract expires at the end of next month.

The Reds are fully supportive of 24-year-old Petaia’s decision to pursue a career in the NFL.

The Wallabies star will attend the International Player Pathway (IPP) development camp in Florida in January

‘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 said.

‘He’s here and we’ve got communication with him.’

The NFL’s IPP development camp program was established in 2017 to give ‘elite athletes from around the world the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster’.

It’s the program that led to former South Sydney under-20s player Jordan Mailata securing a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he plays as an offensive tackle.

Petaia had also been linked with moves to European rugby and the NRL, but his preferred option was to chase a career in the NFL. 

Jordan Mailata is Australia’s biggest success story from the International Player Pathway, having signed a $100million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The Queensland Reds have given Petaia (left) their full blessing and will re-sign him if the move does not work out

Other Aussies include Cameron Johnston, a seasoned punter, who now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers after previous stints with the Eagles and Texans. 

Michael Dickson, a reliable punter for the Seattle Seahawks since 2018, was an All-Pro in his rookie year and is close to 100 games. 

Mitch Wishnowsky, also a dependable punter, plays for the San Francisco 49ers and was the first Australian to score a point in an NFL game. 

Daniel Faalele, an offensive tackle, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 and is known for being one of the heaviest players in the NFL. 

Tory Taylor is a rookie punter for the Chicago Bears, set for his debut after an impressive college career and being a high draft pick. 

Matthew Hayball, another rookie punter, secured a roster spot with the New Orleans Saints after a college stint at Vanderbilt. 

Laekin Vakalahi is on the Eagles’ practice squad without any American football game experience, while veteran defensive end Adam Gotsis is a free agent.