The move that could unleash Wallabies back Jordan Petaia at Rugby World Cup
Moves are apparently being made to reposition Jordan Petaia from his customary fullback position to the centres ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Speaking on Stan Sport's Between Two Posts, former Australian international Morgan Turinui mooted a permanent move for Petaia as the tournament looms.
That could see the utility back swap the No.15 jersey for the No.12 or No.13 in a bid to boost the Wallabies mid-field.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific and Super W seasons on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
Petaia missed the most recent round of Super Rugby Pacific due to surgery on his wrist and is likely to sit out the remainder of the season.
A position shift has been mooted for Jordan Petaia. Daniel Pockett via Getty Images
"There are some smart people in Australian rugby looking to put Petaia in the mid-field because we don't have the old-school ball distributor, second ball player centre," said Turinui.
"So if you want a couple of running backs in the mid-field, there are some people saying, 'Well, why wouldn't you look at him as a 12 or 13 and let him go'."
Stan Sport pundit Sean Maloney argued Petaia was unlikely to dethrone Len Ikitau in the No.13 jersey as the first-pick outside centre.
However, another former Australian international Stephen Hoiles said the Wallabies will need to have depth in their backs, and Petaia fits the bill.
"That was where we first saw him in RC, we saw him with 13 on his back – he was a kid, and he was unbelievable," Hoiles said of Petaia.
"When you're picking a World Cup squad, you need two in every position that can go.
"I'm actually a big fan of him potentially shifting there because you've got Tom Wright, you've got (Andrew) Kellaway at 15, (Jock) Campbell's going great."
Jordan Petaia has typically worn the No.15 jersey for the Queensland Reds. Kelly Defina via Getty Images
The Petaia discussion comes off the back of a breakout performance for Campbell who wore the No.15 jersey in the Reds' upset win over the Chiefs in round 12.
"I think we've been saying it for a while – he's a 15, he's a combination that they need," said Turinui.
"Obviously the obsession with Petaia is getting him opportunity, space, and ball meant that Campbell has shifted around.
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Stephen Hoiles and Morgan Turinui unpack the Reds' epic win over the Chiefs and all the storylines from Super Rugby Pacific round 12
"Because he's such a good footballer, a reliable footballer, they feel they can move around. He's an out-and-out 15, and funnily enough; picking a 15 at 15 worked wonders for them."
The Reds will face the Blues in round 13 before closing out the regular season with matches against the Highlanders and Fijian Drua.
Eddie Jones' remarkable career in pictures: Wallabies coach's tortured Rugby World Cup history
