Rugby ATL signed Jonas Petrakopoulos through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 21-year-old prop/hooker (22 in September) is 5’11” and 240 lbs.
Jonas played for Rugby United New York during the 2020 MLR season. He was a loosehead prop reserve against the New England Free Jacks in their opening match in Las Vegas and then started at tighthead prop against the Austin Gilronis during the second week. He did not feature in the remaining three matches of the truncated season.
Jonas was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands with both parents from the U.S. He began playing rugby in the seventh grade when living in Liverpool, England. His family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana before going into the eighth grade where he spent his first two years at Herron and then transferred to Bishop Chatard in Indianapolis.
He played rugby for the Royal Irish and won High School Rugby National Championships in 2014, 2015, and in 2017. He won All-Conference honors while at Bishop Chatard in 2016, was an Indiana All-State selection in 2016 and 2017, as well as a High School All-American in 2016 and 2017. He was also the 2017 Indiana High School Rugby Player of the Year.
Jonas played for the USA High School All-Americans against Canada in Ontario in 2016 and for the Major Junior All-Americans U19s against Canada in 2017. In 2016 he also played for Netherlands U18s in Portugal and later the U20s. As a dual national, it is still to be determined whether he plays for the Senior USA Men or the Dutch National Team. With USA Coach Greg McWilliams at RUNY, it is hoped that as he develops, that he will be on the U.S. radar.
In 2018 he played for SAS Rugby and in 2019 played with Greeton Marist and then Ngawha, the Bay of Plenty Development side after the club season ended. In 2020 he returned to the U.S. to play for Rugby United New York.
Petrakopoulos has been in academy structures for the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, Stellenbosch Sport in South Africa, and ‘T Goii in Holland.
With RUNY adding season professional props for 2021, Jonas signed a two-year contract with Rugby ATL through the 2022 season. With the retirement of Jamie Ferrante, he should see increased playing time, which will facilitate his development.
Rugby ATL Comments
Rugby ATL is proud to announce the signing of Loose Head Prop, Jonas Petrakopoulos. The 21-year-old was signed this morning to a 2-year contract after being placed on the free agency block by @rugbyunitedny.
“It’s not often you get the chance to bring in a young, American prop, with MLR experience into the locker room. We jumped at the opportunity to invest in Jonas and support American players with aspirations to reach international play,” said General Manager & Head Coach, Scott Lawrence.
Coming off his recent contract with RUNY, he commented on the opportunity to join the “Snake Pit.” “(I’m) Excited to begin working with the team and experience the city of Atlanta and its culture. This is another step in the direction of where I want to be as a professional rugby player.”
RATLERS please help us in welcoming Jonas Petrakopoulos!
