Joseph Suaalii set to debut for Wallabies against England and how he should be introduced to Test rugby

Australian rugby’s multimillion dollar hope is set to debut this weekend, but a left-field centre partner could make him a Wallabies’ star, writes JAMIE PANDARAM.

JOSEPH-Aukuso Suaalii is set to make his Test debut for the Wallabies this weekend at the home of rugby, London’s Twickenham, in one of the biggest selection gambles Australian rugby has seen.

The NRL convert is set to come off the bench and be used in the centres.

Joseph Suaalii is set for a stunning Wallabies’ debut just weeks after leaving the NRL. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Samu Kerevi is back in the squad and should start at No. 12, with Hunter Paisami to miss the spring tour through injury, while Len Ikitau should retain the outside centre position.

Ikitau has been the best-performing back for the Wallabies this season, but that doesn’t mean the Wallabies can’t be creative with him.

There is a big question mark around Kerevi’s fitness, given he hasn’t played a full game of rugby since March.

He is a natural gain-line winner and even if he can only deliver 80 per cent of his full potential against England, he can make things happen. But it’s highly unlikely he can play out a full 80 minutes in the scorching Test arena.

The inclination would be to go like-for-like and bring Suaalii’s big body in to replace Kerevi when it’s time.

Joseph Suaalii and Samu Kerevi train during a Wallabies training session at Victoria Barracks in Sydney. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

However, serious thought should be given to trialling Ikitau at inside centre, with Suaalii outside him.

Ikitau may only stand 182cm and weigh 96kg – Kerevi is 186cm and 108kg – but he has a highly underrated understanding of midfield space, along with a short kicking and passing game, that can transform the Wallabies’ backline.

It will be a stern ask for Suaalii to defend the No. 13 channel, particularly against an England attack that showed remarkable variation and trickery through that area in their two-point loss to the All Blacks last weekend.

Australia's Wallabies centre Len Ikitau (R) against Argentina in August. Picture: Juan Mabromata / AFP

But there’s no time like now to find out what the $5 million man is capable of.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been cautious with newbies this season, generally integrating them in camp for a week before playing them in the second game.

But with Paisami’s injury and a lack of game-winning depth in the midfield, he could do worse than hand Suaalii his international debut on the most famous rugby ground on the planet.

Wallabies fans won’t be expecting a two-try breakthrough performance from Suaalii, like Israel Folau’s famous debut against the British & Irish Lions, but they will be looking for the 196cm star to beat defenders and show glimpses of threat.

If he gets on the field and makes some defensive errors, that will be accepted. It’s part and parcel of the game, and even 70-cap Test veterans can be made to look silly.

But Suaalii as an outside centre, whether being fed by Ikitau or Kerevi, will naturally keep defenders stationed wide due to his size and strength, allowing spaces close to the ruck to open up.

England’s centre pairing of Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade pressured Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane effectively last weekend.

But Suaalii has the height, fend and timing to catch them flat-footed if the delivery is precise.

It is a mouth-watering prospect for Australian rugby’s great hope.

Originally published as Joseph Suaalii set to debut for Wallabies against England and how he should be introduced to Test rugby