Logan City’s extraordinary production of sporting stars has continued through the emergence of Wallaby Jordan Petaia

Logan City’s extraordinary production of sporting stars has continued through the emergence of Wallaby Jordan Petaia. Andrew Dawson reports

Logan City’s extraordinary production of sporting stars has continued through the emergence of Wallaby Jordan Petaia.

The region has as rich a sporting history as any district in Australia, having produced the likes of Brisbane Lions’ great Michael Voss, swimming sprint queen Jodie Henry and former Australian rugby league captain Cameron Smith, just to name a few.

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Now Petaia, aged 19, who plays with famous Wests Bulldogs in Brisbane, has joined that list after becoming the youngest player ever selected to play for the Wallabies at a World Cup.

Jordan Petaia is yet another former Logan schoolboy to make the big time. Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Rugby AU Media

“He has been unbelievable,’’ said Reds teammate Issac Lucas.

“To do what he has done at such a young age, it is a true testimony to his ability and it is only early days for him.’’

As an 18-year-old on last year’s Wallaby tour of the northern hemisphere, the past student of Chatswood Hills State School and Calvary Christian College should have made his Test debut against Italy.

Jordan Petaia in action for Queensland Country. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

However, a hamstring strain at training cost him his place after he was named for his debut.

But fast forward 12 months and Petaia had the joy of finally playing in a Test — and scoring a try against Uruguay last week.

Petaia, who plays for the Wests club in Brisbane, has had meteoric run through the rugby ranks to become a teenage Wallaby.

But he had representative rugby written all over him as a schoolboy, according to Danial Ritchie, director of rugby at Brisbane State High School.

“Yes, I could see that (happening),’’ said Ritchie, who oversaw the development of his career after he moved from Calvary to BSHS to enhance his rugby.

Ritchie said it was a matter of when, not if, Petaia played for Australia.

“Watching him play every week (for State High) was a privilege.

“He was highly talented, hard working.

“For some it may seem a meteoric rise, but it is not a shock for people close to him.

“He is talented, humble and hard working.’’