Major coup in siblings’ path to global glory, but one mystery remains
By Nick Wright
On announcing his extension in Australian rugby, Queensland Reds hooker Josh Nasser insisted he had not sought out star teammate Jordan Petaia to attempt to keep him at Ballymore, instead focusing his attention on garnering a maiden Wallabies berth.
Nasser will remain under coach Les Kiss until at least the end of 2026, having overcome a tumultuous period to feature 15 times in his side’s charge to the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals.
Josh Nasser has earned a call-up into the Wallabies’ training squad ahead of Test clashes against Wales and Georgia.Credit: Getty Images
His exploits have caught Australia coach Joe Schmidt’s eye, along with several fellow Reds who trained in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Nasser has joined a host of Queensland’s 2024 squad in remaining under Kiss, but Petaia – who is recovering from shoulder surgery – remains the most intriguing piece of the club’s retention puzzle.
There have been reports suggesting he could partake in the NFL’s International Player Pathways program, while he also reportedly discussed a rugby league switch with the St George-Illawarra Dragons.
Kiss was confident throughout the season that the Reds had the resources to retain the two-time World Cup star, but Nasser admitted that where his close friend’s future lay remained unclear.
Jordan Petaia, off contract with the Reds this year, appears to have plenty of suitors in multiple codes.Credit: Getty
“He’s a great mate of mine, I’d love him to hang around, but I’m honestly not sure what he’s doing – that’s his decision,” Nasser said.
Instead, Nasser is intent on capitalising on his most consistent campaign to date, since his future was clouded after a spate of injuries cruelled him for 18 months – headlined by a pectoral setback in 2022.
The 24-year-old said he expected news “later in the week” about whether he would progress further towards the squad to take on Georgia and Wales in July.
“Everyone in Australian rugby is probably striving towards that starting jersey for the Wallabies, and I’m no different. The coaches [at the Reds] have brought in another layer of detail that definitely helps, but nothing happens without me performing and training well,” Nasser said.
“It’s a childhood dream to represent my country, and this [being part of the training squad] is just a chance to put my best foot forward into getting selected. Whether that happens or not is ultimately up to the coaches, but all I can do is keep training hard and see how we go.
“At the start of the year, a big goal of mine was to look after my body, as well as obviously perform well. I’m still standing here now, my body held up nicely and has put me in good stead to plenty of footy for the rest of the year.”
While a maiden Test call-up is within Nasser’s grasp, one fait accompli appears to be a debut on world sport’s biggest stage for his sister, Bella.
Isabella Nasser has risen through the Australian rugby 7s ranks, ultimately featuring for the triumphant World Series side in Madrid ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Australian Rugby 7s star Bella Nasser and her brother, recently re-signed Queensland Reds hooker Josh Nasser.Credit: Brendan Hertel, Rugby Australia
An Olympics berth for the green-and-gold outfit determined to avenge their quarter-final exit against Fiji in Tokyo would mark a stunning rise for the 21-year-old daughter of eight-Test Wallaby Brendan Nasser.
Long gone are the days of the “fiery little girl” who Josh says used to employ plenty of “long chops” on their younger brother in the family yard, having relished following the trailblazing path paved by Australia captain and fellow Brisbane State High School alumni Charlotte Caslick.
“I’m definitely still pinching myself. Playing for my country has always been a dream of mine, and to be playing alongside people I’ve looked up to all my life is really cool,” Bella said.
“I think with everyone, you have to train very hard [to be] in this squad, [so] I never really felt like I had to prove myself, but I also didn’t think I had a seamless transition.
“We know we’re one of the favourites going into the Olympics. It’s only installed lots of confidence within our team, and it’s only making us hungrier to train harder, work hard and be better now that we’re on top.”