Ex-Wallaby compares ‘superstar’ Joseph Suaalii to Israel Folau and makes bold prediction for the multi-million dollar man’s future
Split with Joseph Suaalii and Stephen Hoiles.
Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles believes that Australia’s new star Joseph Suaalii could become better than Israel Folau following his move from rugby league.
Suaalii made his Wallabies debut last weekend in style as he won the man-of-the-match award in his team’s dramatic win over England – his first professional union game having only just made the switch from rugby league.
The freshly-capped Wallaby signed a mega multi-million dollar deal with Rugby Australia last year and became eligible for national selection ahead of the Autumn Nations Series following the conclusion of the NRL season.
Special debut
Many wondered how head coach Joe Schmidt would deal with the young star and the tactician did not wait as he boldly started him at 13 against England, meaning he has now played for the Wallabies before he has turned out in Super Rugby Pacific.
Remarkably, Suaalii was unfazed by a packed Twickenham and got to work with some stunning moments in the game. Hoiles believes Australia have found the man to lead their resurgence and compared him to Folau – one of the Wallabies’ most successful code jumpers.
“Absolutely we do. Whether he does or not, a lot of things will come into it,” Hoiles said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
“You watch Izzy in rugby league and Izzy was amazing at rugby league but he was on the edge and they had to kick to him and they had to work the ball to him so it wasn’t that easy to get him into the game as a rugby league player for the Broncos and the Storm.
“And you knew where he was going to get the ball. You knew in rugby league he was going to be wing or centre.
“Joseph’s the same, he’s a wing or centre in rugby league. You know how to double team a centre in rugby league.
“Things change so much in rugby and it’s very difficult to work out where a player like that is going to get the ball.
“He’s got more of an ability to roam in rugby and he’s got such good instincts for the game. I think he’s going to be a better player than Folau. I think he’s got more in him, he’s higher, he’s got a bigger leap. I think we’re in for the next superstar of Australian rugby and it couldn’t come at a better time.”
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Impressed his centre partner
Selecting Suaalii at 13 was a brave call considering how important the position is defensively and that he had no experience of union at this level, but he impressed his centre partner Len Ikitau.
“He is a freak, man,” Ikitau said.
“Just being able to play next to him and see what he can do on the field is awesome. And we are just expecting more from him now he has had his first game.
“We saw all of that at training. He came in, he did what he needed to learn and just showcased his skills on the field.
“I thought it was awesome to see him defending the 13 channel. He just wanted to be involved and wanted to get the ball.”
Next up for Schmidt’s men is a trip to Cardiff to face a wounded Wales side. It is a great chance for the Wallabies to get another win under their belt as part of their resurgence.
