Andy Farrell gives forthright verdict on fellow rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii
Wallabies centre Joseph Suaalii and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
Much has been said and written about new Wallabies sensation Joseph Suaalii in recent weeks and after seeing him in action at the weekend, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has given his verdict on the former rugby league star.
Suaalii was a schoolboy rugby union superstar who represented the Australia Schoolboys side before making the switch to rugby league, where he shone in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters.
There was plenty of hype after Suaalii made a multi million dollar return to the 15-a-side code and the 21-year-old was parachuted into the Wallabies set-up where he made his bow as a professional rugby player on their recent Grand Slam tour.
The outside centre made an immediate impact in his new surroundings as he was named the official man of the match in his Test debut against England before being involved in all of the Wallabies’ other Autumn Nations Series Tests against Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
And Farrell, who himself had a distinguished career in rugby league before making the switch to rugby union, is excited to see Suaalii’s development as a rugby union player.
“As a rugby league player, he was awesome. I used to love watching him play, especially in the State of Origins, etc.,” Farrell told AAP after Ireland’s 22-19 triumph over Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
‘His skill-set is there for us all to see’
“When he gets comfortable and he’s not having to think too much – because that’s where he’ll be at this moment in time as it’s tough transferring over from league – his skill-set is there for us all to see.
“He’s a confident kid, and he’s some athlete as well, so he’s certainly a good addition to rugby, good for us all to watch.”
After a baptism of fire in rugby union, Suaalii has earned the respect of his Wallabies team-mates with winger Andrew Kellaway highlighting how quickly his new team-mate has settled into his new surroundings.
“I don’t know if throwing someone in the deep end is the best way, but certainly it’s worked pretty well for us,” said Kellaway, who will also play alongside Suaalii at Super Rugby Pacific level with the Waratahs in 2025.
“We’re pretty happy to have him. The first part about Joe is he is incredible, what a professional!
“He’s 21 years old, and the kid is on his stuff, studying the game, his stretching, his rehabbing, his recovering, he’s every bit the professional, and he’s certainly rubbed that off on a lot of our guys.
“You’ve certainly seen a lot more guys starting to do that sort of stuff, which is really cool, and I think a really big pat on the back for him. He’s come straight in, made a difference, and added value.
“Then you go onto the field, and the guy’s a freak, right? Lots of shades of Israel (Folau) there.
‘He’s fitted into the group well’
“We’re super glad to have him. I don’t know how he found this tour. I think he enjoyed it, I hope he did, but he’s fitted into the group well.
“He’s a great guy. Very, very funny. He’s certainly built himself into our team, and we feel like we’re close with him now.”
Wallabies loose forward Rob Valetini echoed Kellaway’s sentiments on Suaalii’s impact since making the code switch.
“He’s done well. Only four games into rugby union, and all four have been internationals. I’m proud of him for taking that step,” he said.
“A lot of the boys around him have been helping him as well, so, yeah, a good report card – and now I’ve just got to look out for him in Super Rugby. His game is only to get better.”
