SYDNEY — The Australia rugby union team has announced its squad for the upcoming four-test tour of Britain and Ireland, scheduled for next month, highlighting the inclusion of rugby league star Joseph Sua’ali’i. Sua’ali’i, who has yet to participate in professional rugby union, joins a contingent of uncapped players that features New South Wales Waratahs flyhalf Tane Edmed and Western Force winger Harry Potter.
Samu Kerevi, a center based in Japan, along with Will Skelton, a lock playing in France, have also been selected after competing for the Wallabies in last year’s Rugby World Cup held in France. Sua’ali’i, 21 years old, made headlines after signing a lucrative contract worth A$5.3 million (approximately $3.5 million) with the Australian Rugby Union last year but only transitioned to rugby union last week after aiding the Sydney Roosters in making it to the National Rugby League playoffs for the third consecutive year.
His contract with the Australian Rugby Union extends through the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will take place in Australia. Although Sua’ali’i has not played rugby union since 2018, he has a strong background in rugby league, contributing to Samoa’s first-ever final at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in England and participating in the State of Origin matches this year.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt shared insights about Sua’ali’i following his training session at the Canberra hub, stating, “He’s a kid who works hard on his game and is very quick to pick things up.” Schmidt expressed the importance of facilitating a smooth transition for Sua’ali’i into the Wallabies squad, noting the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour next year. He added, “If he doesn’t debut on this tour, there’s a very little window—maybe one opportunity—to play before the Lions tour, and that would be it.” Schmidt acknowledged the need to fast-track Sua’ali’i’s development within the team.
While Sua’ali’i has experience playing as a center and wing, Schmidt refrained from revealing the specific position he would occupy during the tests. “I’ve seen enough of him play as a rugby league player in the midfield and have received excellent feedback about him from others in the schools system,” he commented.
The Wallabies are set to depart next week, marking the 40th anniversary of their sole Grand Slam tour of the home nations. This time, they will face off against England on November 9, Wales on November 17, Scotland on November 24, and Ireland on November 30, aiming to replicate that previous success on their tour.