Jordan Petaia will train as part of the Wallabies’ back three when he returns to the national squad for the first time in three years, head coach Les Kiss confirmed. The 26-year-old is one of three newcomers named in the 34-man squad ahead of Australia’s Rugby Championship match against world champions South Africa on September 27 at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Petaia’s recall comes after an unconventional career path that saw him transition from rugby to American football. He initially represented Australia at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups before signing with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers as a tight end via their International Pathway Program. However, Petaia did not see any game time in the NFL and was waived in August last year. Following his departure from American football, he joined French club USA Perpignan and more recently signed with Japanese side Urayasu D-Rocks.

Kiss said the decision to bring Petaia back was partly driven by a desire to broaden the coaching staff’s assessment of available talent beyond the domestic system, especially with players like Petaia now competing internationally. “He’s been out of the Australian system for a while but it was important that we just broaden our understanding of what’s available and how they’re looking,” Kiss said. “Jordie being a bit further away, been in France recently, we just felt it was the opportunity to bring him in and have a good look at him.”

Petaia, who has earned 31 caps for Australia, has covered multiple positions in the back line, including wing, fullback (15), and outside centre (13). Kiss indicated he is likely to be deployed in one of the back three positions during the upcoming series.

Alongside Petaia, the squad includes two other new faces: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Zane Nonggorr. McLaughlin-Phillips, who earned his first official national call-up, replaces the injured playmaker Carter Gordon at fly-half. He was preferred over veterans Bernard Foley and James O’Connor, as well as overseas-based Noah Lolesio and Tom Lynagh, who recently returned from injury. McLaughlin-Phillips impressed during the Nations Championship series in July and showed strong form in his most recent Super Rugby AUS appearance for the Western Force.

“There was a lot of deep discussion about where we would go with that,” Kiss remarked on the fly-half selection. “Harry had been recently in the Nations Cup. He impressed immensely there, and he’s the most battle-hardened 10 of all the options. I thought he played very well in the weekend in the Force’s victory over the Reds, so we just felt that he was the right option to come in.”

The final newcomer, Zane Nonggorr, is called up to cover for the injured Massimo De Lutis. The 34-man group will commence preparations in Perth as they aim to challenge the reigning champions in the upcoming clash.