NFL Switch of the Wallabies Center inspired by the deceased father

At the age of 25 and with 31 Wallabies caps to his assets, Petaia moved away from the union of rugby at the height of his powers. There was the call of the next British and Irish tour of the Lions and a Wallabies World Cup campaign on the land of home. There was also an interest nrl; The Dragons and Broncos were enthusiastic that the Queensland Reds star made a very different cross -cross switch.

However, the possibility of following in the footsteps of Jordan Mailata-Che turned his back on the Rugby League to earn a contract from $ 100 million with Philadelphia and becoming the first Australian to make the playing field on one winner of the Super Bowl-was too beautiful to refuse.

“Surely, I saw him go further, I followed his journey quite closely,” said Petaia.

“One day I was sitting in the car to train, listening to a podcast with the Kelce Brothers (Superstar of the NFL Travis and Jason).

“He was emphasizing that if you are an Australian athlete who is thinking about it, giving him a crack. With me I am already thinking about it for a while, seeing him have a crack and not leaving anything of intended, I took a lot.

“He certainly inspired many Australians here and I’m sure you will see much more to go and pursue their dream.”

So they made the travels of the stars of the Valentine Holmes League and Jarryd Hayne. The latter made eight appearances for San Francisco in 2015.

“Surely, I found them both,” said Petaia.

“I was still in high school, but what they did meant that children in Australia looked at him and think” there is an opportunity there “.

“They certainly inspired the boys here, 100 %.”

The athleticism of Petaia-completed the dashboard of 40 yard in 4.58 seconds and had a 40.5-inch vertical leap-it attracted the attention of several clubs to the combination of the NFL. The leaders of Kansas City, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons were enthusiastic about his signature, but in the end the chargers were considered the best solution. The former Wallaby will train to become an end, a position that is a hybrid between a receiver and an offensive clock. One of the best jokes of the NFL is the three -time champion of Super Bowl Travis Kelce, who plays for chiefs.

While Kelce is among the highest gains of the game, the initial salary of Petaia will be $ US250.000 ($ 400,000) per year, which will rise to the stars of a minimum of $ 1 million, as well as bonuses, if he earns the team of 53 men of the Chargers.

“He is in progress for a while,” said Petaia of his code switch.

“I have been with the Reds and Wallabies for seven years. It was a great decision, something I thought very much. Only with the way I got to the back of my brain for all these years, since I started my career as Pro Rugby, it has always remained there.

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“I’ve always been a fan of the game since I was young. With other guys who went to the IPP system before me, I would have regretted it if I hadn’t had the opportunity to go further, make a crack and pursue my dream.

“I am happy to have made it and I made the choice to go further. The opportunity presented himself and I will pursue it with everything I have.”

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