Leading Wallabies defend Joseph Suaalii and the decision to hand NRL convert a Spring Tour debut

Fast-tracked into the Wallabies team, and earning a bucketload of money, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could have easily ruffled a few feathers in Australian rugby. Instead, he’s instantly won everyone over.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 29: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii poses during the Wallabies jersey launch for the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour at The Royal Botanic Gardens on October 29, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The worrywarts can rest easy. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is going to be just fine in rugby.

Fast tracked into the Wallabies’ squad for this month’s historic grand slam tour of Britain and Ireland, Suaalii has already succeeded in winning over his new teammates.

No-one would have begrudged any Australian player for being peeved at the red carpet treatment Suaalii’s been given, or the bucket loads of money that were thrown at him to ditch the NRL and switch to rugby.

But if the players are envious, they’re not showing it, because they have already embraced their new recruit as one of their own.

“Any bloke that comes into the team who has the right mindset and the right attitude is always welcome. And Joey is probably the best version of that,” said Wallabies prop Angus Bell.

“(He’s got a) great attitude, wants to train hard and work hard for the people around him. We’re just excited to have him in and around the squad. He’s fitted in straight away, he’s done everything right and I’m sure he’ll keep doing that.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has generated plenty of headlines for the Wallabies. Picture: Getty

Bell already knew Suaalii from their schoolboy days, as did a lot of the other Wallabies, including Max Jorgensen, and plenty of others who played with him in junior representative teams.

Rather than be jealous, they’re all excited to see what he can do in rugby.

“He’s a pure athlete. You look at the size of him, he can jump so high, he’s so athletic and he’s got a footy brain,” Jorgensen said.

“Obviously it’ll take him a little bit to pick some stuff up but he’s a footy player and he’s going to be awesome for the game.”

Outside the confines of the team, opinions differ wildly on Suaalii’s accelerated path to the Wallabies.

The Daily Telegraph’s award-winning journalist David Riccio penned a column last week, saying the preferential treatment given to Suaalii had cheapened the grandest traditions of the gold Wallabies jersey.

The Wallabies have welcomed their new teammate with open arms. Picture: Getty

Asked whether he agreed with the sentiment, Bell said he did not.

“We don’t listen to that stuff and the proof is in the pudding. As soon as he steps on the field, you’ll see how cheap the jersey is,” Bell said.

“He’s an insane athlete. If you look at the way he moves, the way he touches the footy, the way he can kick.

“He’s got every attribute to be a world class rugby player, not just in Australia, but probably in the world. He’s only 21, so he’s super impressive, a super humble guy. I’m just looking forward to him proving people wrong.”

Once bitten, twice shy, Suaalii didn’t offer much when he was asked the same question because he’s been down that path before.

He was given a special exemption to make his NRL debut when he was just 17.

Still only 21, he’s had to grow up quickly from all the scrutiny he’s faced and it’s paying dividends.

“He’s a really humble guy. To see that professionalism at 21 years of age, it’s insane. I know how good he is now and why he’s so good.

“He’s very driven and he wants success, which is something that we’re trying to find. Joey’s going to be a star, we all know that.”

Originally published as Leading Wallabies defend Joseph Suaalii and the decision to hand NRL convert a Spring Tour debut