Dutch born US-Eligible front row Jonas Petrakopoulos played in Major League Rugby between 2020-2025. He represented Rugby United New York (2020), Rugby ATL (2021-2023), and the Miami Sharks (2024-2025).

Born in Amsterdam to American parents, Petrakopoulos picked up rugby while living in England. He moved to Indiana with his family while still in High School, attending Herron for 2 years before transferring to Bishop Chatard in Indianapolis where he was named a High School All-American in 2016 & 2017, as well as Indiana High School Rugby Player of the Year in 2017. He also represented the Netherlands U18s in Portugal and also represented the U20 side. In 2018 he attended the famous Stellenbosch Academy of Sport in South Africa before travelling to play in New Zealand for the Bay of Plenty Development side. It is yet to be seen whether Petrakopoulos will represent the USA or the Netherlands at test level.

Petrakopoulos returned to the US in 2020 after signing with Rugby United New York for their 2020 MLR season, earning his MLR debut and first MLR start before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the season after only 5 rounds. Petrakopoulos signed with Rugby ATL ahead of the League’s return in 2021, appearing in 12 games as they advanced to the Championship Final before falling 31-17 to the LA Giltinis at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He represented Rugby ATL for 3 seasons, earning 33 MLR caps with the RATLers between 2021-2023. Following the 2023 season, MLR and Rugby ATL announced that there had been a change of ownership and that the team would be relocating to LA (without a team since 2022) for the 2024 season.

Petrakopoulos chose not to follow Rugby ATL (now Rugby FC LA) to the west coast, and on 7^th January 2024, the Miami Sharks expansion side announced the signing of Jonas Petrakopoulos on a 2yr contract ahead of their inaugural season in 2024. He appeared in all 16 games of the Sharks’ inaugural MLR season, earning a career high 5 starts and completing over 50 tackles for the first time. He earned a MLR Team of the Week selection in Rd 7 for his performance.

achievements

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 8
• MLR Runner-Up: 2021 (Rugby ATL)