Australia’s 5 million dollar recruit makes staggering Wallabies admission, beating Joe Schmidt to the punch
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt and Joseph Suaalii.
Joseph Suaalii has never played a game of professional rugby union in his life but he could well get his first taste of action on the Wallabies’ end-of-year tour.
That is according to the player himself, who revealed that he is set to be included in the squad to visit the northern hemisphere later this year.
Suaalii signed a massive deal with Rugby Australia in 2023, thought to be around AUS$5.35 million, which will take him to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Financial issues
It was a controversial move, especially given the financial struggles at the governing body, but they still decided to go through with it despite the departure of chairman Hamish McLennan, who was a key broker in the signing.
Suaalii is set to switch codes after the conclusion of the NRL season which will make him available to the Wallabies when the campaign finishes in October.
That would allow him to be called up to the national team for their upcoming matches in Europe where they face England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
The 21-year-old admitted that he did not know whether he would get any game time, but the fact that Joe Schmidt is looking to fast track the Sydney Roosters star is telling.
Chief executive Phil Waugh hinted last year that the flyer could be involved in the Wallabies squad in November, but the player appears to have beaten both RA and Schmidt to the official announcement.
“I am honestly not sure [if I will play], but I am going on that Spring Tour at the end of the year,” Suaalii said.
“There is no Super Rugby [left this year]. I know once I finish here I will be straight into it. Footy is footy. It’s a footy ball at the end of the day. It’s just about playing.”
While Suaalii is heading to union, Mark Nawaqanitawase has gone in the opposite direction after coincidently signing for the Roosters.
Nawaqanitawase appears to have adapted quickly to rugby league and made a try-scoring debut for Sydney in their victory last weekend.
Advice from ex-Wallabies star
“You saw Mark and what he did when he came across,” Suaalii said.
“He looks natural. So hopefully I will be the same… I have asked him a little bit of questions, he has asked me a few too.
“I feel like it’s a natural conversation, it’s going to come up. But it’s just been about what is the travel or training like?
“Nothing really in depth. It’s mostly just the travel, that is something I am looking forward to as a 21-year-old kid. I am going to go travel the world and experience different things.”
