Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has formally landed in Australian rugby and the nation’s most costly participant says he’s “able to go” if known as upon later this 12 months.
Eighteen months after penning Australian rugby’s most costly deal, Suaalii lastly acquired the possibility to drag on a rugby jersey after rapidly transitioning from the NRL.
Lower than a month in the past he was taking part in in entrance of a packed home in Melbourne within the Roosters’ preliminary closing defeat.
On Monday morning, the 21-year-old was again on the coaching paddock as he made his first steps as a rugby participant within the leafy suburbs of Canberra on the Australian Institute of Sport.
Excited, you betcha.
The proficient outdoors again, who featured prominently in Australia’s Schoolboys victory over New Zealand Faculties in 2019, used the adjective thrice in his opening response.
Daunted? Nope.
“Probably not, I’ve at all times simply been excited,” he mentioned.
“I made the choice a few year-and-a-half-ago. It’s come fast, however simply very excited to get taking part in.”
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at his first Wallabies Coaching Session on the AIS on October 14, 2024 in Canberra. (Photograph by Mark Nolan/Getty Photographs)
Australian rugby followers are equally excited to see what the sport’s largest guess can do after former Rugby Australia chairman acquired out the chequebook and confirmed Suaalii the money to lure him throughout to the sport.
Not since Israel Folau switched to rugby forward of the Lions collection in 2013 has there been as a lot media curiosity in a participant as Suaalii’s sensational multi-million-dollar deal.
However after carrying the burden of a nation on his shoulders for the previous 18 months, Suaalii feels he’s well-equipped to deal with the expectation that follows him to the code.
“I’m prepared for that,” he mentioned.
“I really feel like a younger child coming by way of the NRL, I really feel like I had a whole lot of eyes on me coming by way of. It’s no completely different.
“I’m simply protecting issues easy, simply sticking to the method of coaching each day, getting higher each day and simply studying from my teammates and simply attempting to be the very best participant I will be.”
However McLennan’s nice gamble is already paying dividends with a number of of the nation’s common rugby reporters on the beat travelling down the Hume Freeway for the possibility to put first eyes on Suaalii.
Suaalii didn’t look misplaced as he ran easy drills on Monday morning.
He was seen speaking with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt through the session however gave little away about their interplay.
“I met Joe yesterday,” Suaalii mentioned.
“Actually, we simply spoke about household. We’re simply attending to know one another mainly, I haven’t actually spoken about footy. It’s simply been about attending to know one another and attending to know the boys.”
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in dialog with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt. (Photograph by Mark Nolan/Getty Photographs)
There stays two nice questions on Suaalii for the speedy future.
The place he’ll play?
“Look, I’ve at all times been open to taking part in centre, wing, fullback,” he mentioned.
“If the coach places me anyplace, I really feel like I’m simply footy participant on the finish of the day. Any place, I’m able to play. I don’t actually have a most popular place.”
And whether or not he will likely be picked in Schmidt’s 34-man Wallabies squad for the Grand Slam Checks towards England, Wales, Scotland and Eire, or the Australian XV two-match tour towards Bristol and England A throughout that will likely be performed similtaneously the highest aspect’s opening two Checks.
“Wherever, truthfully,” he mentioned. “Wherever Joe places me. I’ll simply put my head down, study as a lot as I can and simply play footy. On the finish of the day it’s a recreation of footy. Nothing else.”
With simply 4 Checks to run earlier than the Wallabies tackle the Lions subsequent July, Schmidt will likely be desperate to see as a lot as he can from his new million-dollar man.
However it’s simply as probably he’ll begin his rugby profession at Ashton Gate towards Pat Lam’s Bears for the Australian XV, earlier than probably becoming a member of the Wallabies for the second half of their tour.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in motion throughout his first coaching session together with his new teammates. (Photograph by Mark Nolan/Getty Photographs)
Regardless, Suaalii says he’s “contemporary” after a fast vacation to recharge batteries at Hamilton Island and able to hit the bottom working ought to he be requested to drag on a jersey subsequent month.
“I’m able to go,” he mentioned. “In the event that they throw me in there, I’m able to go.
“I’ve at all times backed myself taking part in footy and at all times backed myself going up towards anybody. I’m assured in my capability to play.
“I wanted relaxation from that NRL season, it’s an extended, brutal season. Now, it’s about studying every day, and sitting down and going by way of movie and little issues. I’ve performed the sport earlier than, and I’m very assured in my capability.”
So what position does he see himself taking part in within the Wallabies’ rebuild?
“I really feel like I’m a competitor – and that’s what I wish to do is win,” he mentioned.
“That’s a pure factor that this group desires to do. I really feel like I can convey my competitiveness on the sector – and it begins by coaching each day, and getting in and competing and slowly progressing into the video games.”
And so begins the sport’s most costly gamble.
Ought to it come off, will probably be heralded as a masterstroke concocted by McLennan.
