Jordan Petaia set for first NFL pre-season game in LA Chargers vs Detroit Lions Hall of Fame match

Jordan Petaia is set to join elite company and create history as the first Wallaby to take the NFL field, at the league’s pre-season opener this week for his debut.

WHILE the Wallabies have failed to beat the Lions, one of their former teammates could yet achieve the feat, with Jordan Petaia set to play in the NFL’s pre-season opener against Detroit Lions.

Petaia’s remarkable transition to the NFL is now poised to play out live to Australian audiences on Kayo and ESPN, with the LA Chargers’ match against the Lions to be shown on Friday from 10am.

Code Sports understands Petaia will be given snaps during the game in the tight-end position he has trained in since joining the Chargers in April.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Jordan Petaia will make his NFL debut at the pre-season opener. Picture: Eric Thayer

The match in Ohio will be the Hall of Fame game, which marks the start of the pre-season and is the first televised NFL game since the Super Bowl in February, when the Philadelphia Eagles thumped Kansas City Chiefs to win the championship.

If Petaia takes the field, he will create history as the first former Wallaby to do so.

The 25-year-old has impressed Chargers officials with his speed and strength, although he has much to learn about the finer arts of tight-end play, given it is one of the toughest positions on the field.

Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce and Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski are among the most famous tight ends of recent times, excelling at getting into clear space amid heavy traffic, making powerful runs, and also blocking for other teammates in offence.

Travis Kelce will play his 13th season for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Petaia, who played 31 Tests for Australia and in two World Cups, decided to follow his childhood dream of playing in the NFL last year.

He signed up for their International Pathway Program, and after strong performances in training camps on the Gold Coast and then Florida, he was picked up by the Chargers.

While Petaia is set to feature, star quarterback Justin Herbert will not. Coach Jim Harbaugh revealed the $400 million man will be rested with former first round draft pick Trey Lance to start.

Jordan Petaia will be the first Wallaby to play NFL. Picture: Eric Thayer

Petaia will be on the receiving end of $400 million man Justin Herbert. Picture: /Eric Thayer

The Chargers and Lions were both eliminated in the playoffs last season and will be looking to make an early statement, before the NFL season gets underway in September.

Petaia follows in the footsteps of other cross-code Australian athletes that have made the switch to the NFL, most notably NRL stars Jarryd Hayne and Valentine Holmes, and AFL players Sav Rocca and Chris Bryan.

After signing with the Chargers three months ago, Petaia told Code Sports he was “just worried about doing my best every day and training hard.”

“You do what you can to put your best foot forward, whatever happens, happens.

“My mindset is to leave no stone unturned, and train harder.”

Originally published as Jordan Petaia set for first NFL pre-season game in LA Chargers vs Detroit Lions Hall of Fame match