Michael Cheika is working overtime to cool talk on new Wallabies sensation Jordan Petaia, but the teammates who know him well aren’t holding back.
Dynamic teenager Petaia will make one of of the most anticipated debuts in recent Australian Test history when he plays on the left wing against Uruguay, having previously endured two false starts when a maiden cap was imminent.
Cheika is as curious as anyone about whether the 19-year-old Queensland Red can transfer his enormous potential onto the international stage.
The coach has made a point of smothering the hype around the imposing youngster, described by some as one the most gifted attacking backs Australia has produced in a generation.
“I’m not going to give him that one before game day. Won’t load that one on him,” Cheika said.
“He’s a very good player and his story’s yet to be told. There’s no point talking about him now because he’s just starting and he’s going to tell his own story on the field over this game and, I’d imagine, in many games to come.”
Petaia will be nine years younger than any other player in the Wallabies backline – starters and reserves – when he debuts in Oita on Saturday.
Only a whisker shorter and lighter than Israel Folau, and still with some growing to do, the potential for a comparison is hard to ignore.
Cheika suggested wing will be the consideration at this World Cup because of the issues created by Reece Hodge’s suspension.
It is at outside centre where the Melbourne-born athlete has shone in a fleeting but spectacular start to his Super Rugby career.
He caught the eye of then-teammate James Slipper at a Reds pre-season training session early last year.
“He was still pretty much at school at the time but he really put his hand up. He wasn’t frightened to have a go,” Slipper said.
“Obviously he’s got the physical build to be a good player but the one thing I saw in him was a lot of confidence. That’s a really good characteristic for a player, especially a young player.”
“It’s very exciting.”
Inside centre Matt To’omua, who like Slipper is starting this weekend, knew the Petaia family growing up but always thought it was the older siblings he might end up playing alongside.
It quickly became obvious the youngest boy had something extra.
“More so than any other young player he is just as competent on both sides of the ball, attack and defence,” To’omua said.
“It’s not often you say that about young guys. They might have a wicked sidestep or something but I think Jordy likes getting in the rough and tumbles … he doesn’t have a glaring weakness which is great for a young guy.”
Petaia is the youngest Wallaby to play at the World Cup, 49 days earlier than another left winger – Joe Roff in 1995.
