Mer

Jordan Petaia signs for French Top 14 side Perpignan

Jordan Petaia previously in action for the Queensland Reds.
Jordan Petaia previously in action for the Queensland Reds.FIONA GOODALL / Getty Images via AFP
Australian rugby international centre Jordan Petaia rebounded from being waived by NFL outfit Los Angeles Chargers in signing for Top 14 side Perpignan on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old, whose try out with the Chargers was ruined by a succession of injuries, signed a one year contract.

Petaia, capped 31 times by the Wallabies and a veteran of two World Cup campaigns, further bolsters a Perpignan side who signed former Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie earlier in the close season.

Petaia offers Perpignan variety as he can also slot in at wing and full-back.

Perpignan open their campaign at home to last season's championship semi-finalists Bayonne on September 6.

They will hope to be vastly improved from the side that finished second from bottom and only retained its elite status by beating Grenoble in a promotion/relegation play-off last term.