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The reigning Super Bowl champions have taken a chance on rugby league behemoth Jordan Mailata.
The Australian-raised Mailata – once a star on the rugby field with the South Sydney Rabbitohs U20 side – has been selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
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With the 233rd pick in the 2018 #NFLDraft, the #Eagles select OT Jordan Mailata. #FlyEaglesFlypic.twitter.com/jzL17LgJWf
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 28, 2018
Mailata, who has never played a single down of football in his life, is listed as an offensive tackle on NFL.com and is believed to have a 50 percent chance of making the team’s final roster at the start of the season. The Eagles made Mailata the 233rd pick of the draft.
Read more: NFL teams impressed by athleticism of giant rugby league player
The 6’8, 157kg forward gained media attention after attending a Pro Day in Florida where his enormous frame caught the attention of a number of teams.
Still just 20 years old, Mailata will be in a great place to learn his new craft as he joins an offensive line filled with Pro Bowlers Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Jason Peters and Jason Kelce. He will also join fellow Pacific Island talent Halapoulivaati Vaitai, whose parents hail from Tonga.
Can’t describe how proud I am of my brother @jordan_mailata! With the 233rd pick of the 2018 NFL Draft the Philadelphia Eagles select… THE THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER! #FlyEaglesFly #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/o5zTL5RMxy
— Christian Scotland-Williamson (@1CSW) April 28, 2018
Fellow rugby convert Christian Scotland-Williamson, who played three seasons with the Worcester Warriors, is also eligible for the draft but is yet to hear his name called.
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