A two-time World Cup representative,Petaia at last garnered the chance to claim the No.15 jumper to start the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign,having largely been used as an outside centre despite his preference to play from the back.
He came up with moments of enigmatic brilliance in the opening round against the Waratahs,beforesuffering a concussion against the Hurricanes that kept him sidelined for Saturday’s shock win over the Chiefs.
Should the Dragons triumph in the race for Petaia,it would be the second major recruitment coup for rugby’s rivals after the Sydney Roosters lured across Waratahs flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Loading
But Kiss,who confirmed Petaia would be fit to return on Friday night against the Melbourne Rebels,expressed his confidence that what Queensland and the Wallabies could provide would trump the offers of potential suitors.
“Jordie’s important to us,we’ve got a[British and Irish] Lions series coming up,not only do we[the Reds] play them,but the Wallabies play them,and I think that’s a real big attraction for anyone of Jordie’s age and profile to stay engaged,” Kiss said.
“We’re engaging,and we have a Wales game coming up … we’re trying to create programs here where people are really engaged and want to stay,but we feel pretty comfortable with what we’re offering.