Still on the Rise: A Conversation with Reds and Wallabies Centre Jordan Petaia

It’s an exciting time to be a Queensland Reds fan! Even though the team is on a four-game winning streak, as I found out this week the team has been training hard and is wanting to improve on it’s performances so far. “Never get comfortable” seems to be the mantra that Brad Thorne’s Reds are living by. That definitely seems to be true for my latest interviewee for Reds Rugby Rules!

It was great to catch up with Jordan Pataia after training earlier this week. We spoke about a number of things, including where he feels his team is at, as well as some of his interests outside of rugby.

Since making his debut for Queensland at the age of 18, three years later, Jordan is still a player on the rise. With the talent and work ethic that he has, I think some of his best playing days yet are coming up! (Also, check out my 2018 interview with him here.)

I always love catching up with Jordan and I’m sure you will enjoy reading our chat!

Hey Jordan, awesome to see you again. Do you think the season could have started any better for the team? 

Um it’s probably the start we wanted. Pretty great start, 4 and 0. Pretty great effort, but the boys are still wanting more and I think we’re looking to improve on those results. They were still good outcomes but we’re holding ourselves to higher standards, which is great, if we’re looking to go for that chip. So it’s important we stick to that… but obviously 4 and 0, that’s exactly what we want.

Things seem to be coming together really well for the Reds. Are you excited about the Waratahs match coming up this weekend?

Yeah! I’m very excited. I’ve had a good run so far, so if I can keep that going it’d be good. The boys are pretty excited! I haven’t played in Sydney for a while, so it’ll be good to get down there and to look to continue our streak.

They put up a good fight in round one the season. How much of a difference do you think it will make for them, to be playing at home [in Sydney]? 

Yeah, I think it will make a massive difference. Last year - they came up here and lost and then we went down there and the boys got hammered. We never go into any of these games lightly. I think they’ll definitely enjoy being at home. But yeah, if we stay switched on for our game, it should be a good match up.

You and Hunter seem to be making quite the team this year. What’s it like playing alongside him?

Yeah it’s really fun. We get along quite well off the field, so it makes it good. We just get on the field and trust each other and have fun out there. We have a good relationship in the centre field that we’ve been building since last year… It’s been really enjoyable having that relationship with Hunter.

How are you finding having a shorter season and playing against less teams in Super Rugby AU?

Hmmm. Yeah it’s different. You don’t get to see the world as much, but nevertheless we’re still playing rugby during such a difficult time and that’s something to be thankful for. But at the same time, it’s good stay around home and around the family a lot more, now that we’re not on the road as much. But yeah, it’s still enjoyable and I still have the same goals, so it’s good.

How are you finding the rule changes this season?

The rule changes have been pretty fun. There hasn’t been too much change, but the drop-outs pretty entertaining when the boys run it back. It’s good to watch.

Are you looking forward to the second round for the year - Super Rugby “Trans-Tasman”?!

Yeah. Hopefully we can stay in order. I’m pretty keen. It’s always fun to go up against the New Zealand teams. Obviously they’re some of the best teams in the world, so it’s good to test your ability and skills… and travelling to New Zealand is pretty fun. There are some nice areas there. So I’m pretty excited.

I have a message for the NZ Super Rugby teams. My boys are coming for you! This question is on behalf of my Mum, who’s becoming a serious rugby fan: when you swan dive to score a try, does it hurt?

I think that’s a question for the Fijian boys! I haven’t done too many swan dives. But diving, if you land it well I guess it’s not too bad. On occasion, I guess you can wind yourself. But yeah, I don’t think it hurts too much.

You’ve played a number of games wearing green and gold since we last caught up officially. What’s your favourite memory playing with the Wallabies?

Probably, representing your country and family… just getting to the pinnacle of the sport. It’s quite an accomplishment, it’s good to really see where your at, and do your best for your country. International travel is pretty cool too. You get to see some cool places.

Are you still into computer games?

Oooh. I’ve died off in the last few months - been a bit busier. I’ve taken up a bit of golf actually! But I still it enjoy playing computer games. A bit of COD.

If you weren’t playing rugby, what would you be doing?

That’s a good question! Probably some sort of study. I’m not sure what it would have been. My mind was always pretty set on rugby. But probably work a few different jobs. Coffee… I’m into my coffee a bit actually. Maybe be a barrister and start up a cafe. That could still happen!

Thanks for taking time to catch up today Jordan. Safe travels and best of luck this weekend! You know I’ll be watching.

Awesome. Appreciate it Tommy! Hopefully we can get out there and do the job!

Jordan and the Queensland Reds line up against New South Wales this Saturday at 6:45pm!

Dreams Can Come True: A Conversation with Reds Prop Zane Nonggor

There are plenty of reasons it’s a great time to be a Reds fan! Yes, the team is on a winning streak at the moment, but regardless, with great players/people coming through the Reds pathway, the future looks bright for the game in our great state.

Zane Nonggor is one such player. At the age of 19, he’s already staking his claim in the side. He debuted last year against the Waratahs and has been named on the the bench for this weekends clash against the Western Force (this Saturday at Suncorp!!!)

I was lucky to get to catch up with him after training this week and we talked about everything, from his rugby journey, to what he thinks of his new nickname, “Baby Thor”.

I hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoyed talking with him!

Congrats to you and the whole team for the awesome win over the weekend!

Thank you! It was good to get the win down against the Brumbies, it was the first time in seven years [down in Canberra]. I was a pretty rough start, but they stuck to the structures, believed in each other and got the win.

Let’s talk about the year so far. How have you found settling into the 2021 season with the Reds? Much easier than 2020 I assume!

Yeah, it’s been really fun I guess. Since I had a bit of time last year, I knew all the names, knew all the faces and could get to know them a bit better. But at the start of the year I had a couple of injuries, a couple of niggles that kept me out of training for a couple of months so that was pretty annoying. But finally in the last month, it’s been really good getting back into full training. Still, every sessions harder than the one before, and I just want to get better. I’m still trying to adapt I guess to senior, professional footy.

What do you love the most about playing for Queensland and being based here at Ballymore?

What I love the most is… I’m a Queensland boy - born and bred, I’ve supported Queensland my whole life, when I’d watch rugby union it was always the Queensland Reds. I didn’t know too much about rugby when I first came, but as soon as I started playing at school, because this was my home state, there was really no question to go for the Queensland Reds. It’s really a dream come true to be able to come and train at Ballymore and to wear that Queensland jersey.

You joined the Reds as a prop. Have you always played in that position?

Yeah I have. I’m a bit big to play other positions. Even when I started playing footy I was always a tight-head prop, I never really tried any other positions. I’m pretty uncoordinated on the left side of the scrum, compared to the right. I have played a bit, during our Argentina tour with school, I played number 8 for 20 minutes of one game, that was pretty cool. But yeah, I’ve always been a prop.

I love hearing about peoples rugby journey’s. How old were you when you started playing rugby?

I started playing rugby in year 5, so I would have been 9 or 10 years old. When I first started, I wasn’t actually that good, I was just big. I started off in the B team, then the next year I was in Cs and Ds, the next year, Cs and Ds, it wasn’t until I was in year 8 that I started, I guess, getting good and making the A team and then for the rest of high school made the A team, then later I made the first XV for a couple of years, then in my last year, I played for Queensland under-18s and was lucky enough to make the Australian team.

I guess that kind of got me some attention from the people at the Reds and they offered me a contract, a development academy spot. Training there was really fun, because all the people I went to school with the year above me, we were all training together. Then covid hit and we were all split up. We just kept training, it was like a second pre-season really. I had some good numbers in the fitness tests during covid and they gave me an opportunity to come and train, just to make up numbers, after cover. I just kept training, and there were a couple of times when I thought I’d go back to academy, but they said “stay here” because there were a couple of injuries and they needed the numbers and I just kept training. I got the opportunity and it was really surreal. It all happened so fast and I couldn’t believe it when it was happened.

What inspired you to play the game?

Growing up in PNG, Rugby League was the main sport there and I watched a little bit of that, mostly just the State of Origin, but then when we came to Australia and I went to Southport, the only rugby they had there was rugby union. My grandad played a bit of rugby union for fun, this is my Grandad on my Mums side, my Australian side, and she said “you should really try it - you’ll love it, you’ll love it”. I was a bit nervous at the time, I didn’t think it would go that well. But she really pushed me to play and I had a blast of a time.

I guess what inspired me at the time was having fun with my mates and my Mum pushing me to try new things. I can really thank my Mum for everything that’s happened.

Can you tell us something about yourself that not many people know?

I’m left-handed, not many people know that… I used to be a lot bigger - too much Maccas and KFC when I was younger. Also, not a lot of people know that I’m from the highlands of Papa New Guinea, right in the middle of it. We lived up in the village for four years. That was a lot of fun. Not many people know that.

Do you like the nickname “Baby Thor”?

(Laughs) Yeah. Obviously, growing up, Nella (Taniella) was one of the people I watched very closely who was playing my position and bumping everyone off and throwing massive cut-off balls. All the props just wanted to be him. Being called Baby Thor is pretty funny, I definitely like that.

What is your team focusing on ahead of the game against the Force this weekend?

The team focus for this weekend is to keep improving. We had a good game against the Brumbies this week, it was a hard fought game against them. It was a slow start, so we want to just improve as much as possible and keep building upon our game, building on our structures, sticking to our structures and I guess playing the form that we can play. Not making too many mistakes and keep building pressure.

Thanks for taking time to catch up Zane! 

All good Tommy! It was a pleasure to be interviewed by you. I think you know more of the Reds than I do! It’s been awesome to catch up.

Don’t miss the Reds game this Saturday against the Western Force, 7:30pm at Suncorp Stadium!!!

Reds Rugby Rules Interviews Alex Mafi!!

Thank you Queensland for killing off Covid. Finally, the Reds have opened up their borders to visitors and I was able to watch training from the sidelines and do my first in-person interview for over a year! And what a great interview it was. I got to chat with Reds hooker, the powerful “back who’s been made into a forward”, Alex Mafi!



Even though he’s 51 games into his Super Rugby career, at 24, no doubt he still has many great years (and a few championships with the Reds) ahead of him! Also, I was interested to find out that all of his main rugby “heroes” growing up, were former or current Reds! Read on to find out who they were! 

Hey Alex, thanks for taking the time to catch up today!

No worries!

2 tries last week! It’s not often that forwards score one try - let alone two!!! 

Yeah I was really lucky out there Tommy, to be honest. Right place right time, I guess. One of them was really just a team try. I was behind a pack of, probably 12 boys in that mall... we had a few backs join in, so I was just a lucky one to have the ball.

The other one, that was probably the best moment of my career so far, to get that ball over the line at that time of the game, with the situation that we were in... especially considering I’d dropped the ball just minutes before that, I was really happy to get that second try.

You and BPA are a different type of forward. The Reds are lucky to have players that can run the ball too! Have you played a variety of positions over the years?

Yes. It’s really funny, I actually started off in the backs, Tommy. I started off playing inside centre and as I got older, I started eating and slowly made my way forward in the team. I made my way into the back row, I was playing number eight, and then just slipped into Hooker. I have an older brother, he was at Nudgee in the first XV, he was the hooker in grade 12 and I was in grade 8. They said to me you’ll most likely end up being a hooker and shifted me there in grade 8!

Congratulations on 50 games. How did it feel reaching that milestone during the season opener? 

Thanks Tommy! That was a really, really good way to start the season. Especially having it at home, in front of my family and friends, that was really special.

Last year I was in line to play my 50th two times, but both times I did my hammy [hamstring muscle] on the Thursday night before, so missed out through injury. We were about to play the Melbourne Rebels last year for the second round, I pulled my hammy and they said I’d be out for eight weeks. Then I made it back for the home semi, against the Rebels again and then I did the same thing again on the Thursday night! Then I did a bit of work over the off-season and the preseason to make it back and have my 50th in round one.

It was a great win against New South Wales. Good to get the cup for another year!

Yeah. That’s probably what was on my mind rather than it being my 50th. I had my mind more so on wanting to get that cup back and open up the season with a bit of silverware. I was really happy for us to win that Templeton cup.

How are you enjoying 2021 so far, overall? Also, how do you think you and the team have grown, since 2020?

Yeah I’m really enjoying 2021, it’s been a good year so far. No hiccups during the season so far, no Covid-19 stuff. And our team has grown a lot since last year. Everyone’s got a handful of caps out of their belt from last year, so everyone’s a little bit more experienced. The groups probably not as shy as they were last year, so they’re getting a lot more communication from each other.

Who were your rugby hero’s growing up?

When I was younger I would always go and watch my big brother’s first XV games from the sidelines. At that time, at Nudgee, James O’Connor was also playing. He was a freak... first year out of high school he went to play for the Western Force, then into the Wallabies. So he was a bit of a hero growing up. And now I’m playing with him, which is awesome. And during that time, when the Reds were so dominant - 2011-2010, Will Genia and Quade Cooper.

Can you tell us something else about yourself that not many people know?

Not many people know that I grew up in Mount Isa. Everyone thinks I’ve always been here in Brisbane, but I grew up in Mount Isa, my old man was working in the mines. I went to St Joseph’s Primary... and my first sport was soccer!

What will you be doing during bye weekend?

If the weather holds up, I’m planning to go fishing! I’m gonna go out to the Cape Waters on the top of Morton and see if I can find some fish out there. Sounds great. Enjoy the weekend off!

Thanks again Alex for your time!

No worries Tommy. Thanks for having me!