'Am I watching rugby or gymnastics': Fans in awe of Jordan Petaia's athleticism as he nearly bags try of the season

Fans have taken to social media to express their amazement at the athleticism shown by Wallabies midfielder Jordan Petaia in the act of failing to score what would have been a contender for try of the season.

Facing off against Los Pumas in a vital Tri Nations clash at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, the Wallabies proved dominant in the opening stages of the contest, holding the lion’s share of possession and territory.

With the scoreline locked at 3-all as the match approached the 20-minute mark, Dave Rennie’s side nearly capitalised on their impressive opening efforts while hot on attack inside the Argentine 22.

Healthspan Elite Performance of the Week | The Pumas star who out-tackled the All Blacks | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Healthspan Elite Performance of the Week | The Pumas star who out-tackled the All Blacks | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Spreading the ball into the midfield, second-five Hunter Paisami stabbed a grubber kick through Argentina’s defensive line for Petaia to chase onto.

The ball held up inside the Los Pumas in-goal area with the centre steaming onto it at full tilt, but his chances of dotting down quickly diminished as the ball bobbled towards the dead ball line.

After a moment of hesitation, Petaia grasped onto the ball as it looked set to barrel out of play and swiftly dotted it down as quickly as possible before rolling head over heels into the advertising hoardings behind the goal posts in acrobatic fashion.

Almost from Jordan Petaia for the Wallabies.

We're seeing midfield kick-and this midifeld space-so often these days #ARGvAUS pic.twitter.com/fgEVYoonWw

— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) November 21, 2020

To the naked eye, it was difficult to tell whether he had scored the try, given how close he was to the dead ball line.

That didn’t stop he and his Wallabies teammates, and the Newcastle crowd, from celebrating his audacious effort as if he had scored, but a review of the play by the TMO showed Petaia had little more than a toe on the line, denying him a superbly taken try.

Even then, fans and pundits were quick to take to Twitter to share a mutual feeling of disbelief at Petaia’s efforts, with some labelling the would-be try as “a ripsnorter”, “glorious” and “insane”.

That finish #ARGvAUS pic.twitter.com/eWPcw8X52O

— Huw Stark (@starky88) November 21, 2020

That is INSANE if he got it down. #ARGvAUS

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 21, 2020

madskillz #ARGvAUS

— Dave Jefferson (@cyclopath967) November 21, 2020

https://twitter.com/IssieAtch/status/1330074570057986052

As I was saying… #ARGvAUS https://t.co/a6oSyKG4Lr

— Kitch ?? (@kitchtrips) November 21, 2020

https://twitter.com/stuartfaz/status/1330074661217062915

Holy bejebsus! Despite being no try that is some skill. ? #ARGvAUS

— SuckerForRed (@SuckerForRed) November 21, 2020

Hunter Paisami with a glorious kick and has Jordan Petaia just finished a glorious try? #ARGvAUS

— Ross Barnett (@rbarnett08) November 21, 2020

If Petaia finished that…

Wow.#ARGvAUS

— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) November 21, 2020

Love that move!

Grubber for Petaia by Paisami off the same move they’ve run twice already with Hodge looping.

Last two times ball went to width.

Great deception. Unlucky. #ARGvAUS

— Ben Kimber (@benkimber) November 21, 2020

Patiai is a freak. A foot on the line but so close. #ARGvAUS

— Four Weasels Brewing Co (@4weaselbrewco) November 21, 2020

Trigger happy ? Soooo close

— Mandy McEvoy (@Mandy_McEvoy) November 21, 2020