Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has officially landed in Australian rugby and the nation’s most expensive player says he’s “ready to go” if called upon later this year.
Eighteen months after penning Australian rugby’s most expensive deal, Suaalii finally got the chance to pull on a rugby jersey after quickly transitioning from the NRL.
Less than a month ago he was playing in front of a packed house in Melbourne in the Roosters’ preliminary final defeat.
On Monday morning, the 21-year-old was back on the training paddock as he made his first steps as a rugby player in the leafy suburbs of Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Suaalii was the new headline figure at Joe Schmidt’s first of two “training hubs” featuring Waratahs and Brumbies players of national interest. A second hub will gather in Brisbane featuring Reds and Force players.
Excited, you betcha.
The talented outside back, who featured prominently in Australia’s Schoolboys victory over New Zealand Schools in 2019, used the adjective three times in his opening response.
Daunted? Nope.
“Not really, I’ve always just been excited,” he said.
“I made the decision about a year-and-a-half-ago. It’s come quick, but just very excited to get playing.”
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at his first Wallabies Training Session at the AIS on October 14, 2024 in Canberra. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Fans clinging to the hope of brighter days are equally excited to see what Suaalii can do after former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan got out the cheque book to lure the rising star to the game.
Not since Israel Folau switched to rugby ahead of the Lions series in 2013 has there been as much interest in a player as Suaalii’s sensational multi-million-dollar deal.
But after carrying the weight of a nation on his shoulders for the past 18 months, Suaalii feels he’s well-equipped to handle the expectation that follows him to the code.
“I’m ready for that,” he said.
“I feel like a young kid coming through the NRL, I feel like I had a lot of eyes on me coming through. It’s no different.
“I’m just keeping things simple, just sticking to the process of training every day, getting better every day and just learning from my teammates and just trying to be the best player I can be.”
But McLennan’s great gamble is already paying dividends with several of the country’s regular rugby reporters on the beat travelling down the Hume Highway for the chance to lay first eyes on Suaalii.
Suaalii didn’t look out of place as he ran simple drills on Monday morning.
He was seen talking with Schmidt during the session but gave little away about their interaction.
“I met Joe yesterday,” Suaalii said.
“Honestly, we just spoke about family. We’re just getting to know each other basically, I haven’t really spoken about footy. It’s just been about getting to know each other and getting to know the boys.”
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in conversation with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
There remains two great questions about Suaalii for the immediate future.
Where he’ll play?
“Look, I’ve always been open to playing centre, wing, fullback,” said the one-match State of Origin player, who finished his career for the Roosters in the centres but also featured at fullback and on the wing.
“If the coach puts me anywhere, I feel like I’m just footy player at the end of the day. Any position, I’m ready to play. I don’t really have a preferred position.”
And whether he will be picked in Schmidt’s 34-man Wallabies squad for the Grand Slam Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland next month, or the Australian XV two-match tour against Bristol and England A during that will be played at the same time as the top side’s opening two Tests.
“Anywhere, honestly,” he said. “Wherever Joe puts me. I’ll just put my head down, learn as much as I can, and just play footy. At the end of the day, it’s a game of footy. Nothing else.”
With just four Tests to run before the Wallabies take on the Lions next July, Schmidt will be eager to see as much as he can from his new million-dollar man.
But it’s as likely he will start his rugby career at Ashton Gate in England’s south-west against Pat Lam’s Bears for the Australian XV, before joining the Wallabies for the second half of their tour.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in action during his first training session with his new teammates. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Regardless, Suaalii says he’s “fresh” after a quick holiday to recharge batteries at Hamilton Island and ready to hit the ground running should he be asked to pull on a jersey next month.
“I’m ready to go,” he said. “If they throw me in there, I’m ready to go.
“I’ve always backed myself playing footy and always backed myself going up against anyone. I’m confident in my ability to play.
“I needed rest from that NRL season, it’s a long, brutal season. Now, it’s about learning each day, and sitting down and going through film and little things. I’ve played the game before, and I’m very confident in my ability.”
So what role does he see himself playing in the Wallabies’ rebuild?
“I feel like I’m a competitor – and that’s what I want to do is win,” he said.
“That’s a natural thing that this group wants to do. I feel like I can bring my competitiveness on the field – and it starts by training every day, and getting in and competing and slowly progressing into the games.”
And so begins the game’s most expensive gamble.
Should it come off, it will be heralded as a masterstroke concocted by McLennan.
