Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set to join Wallabies camp mere weeks after last NRL game
Little more than a fortnight after his last appearance for the Sydney Roosters, and before even lacing up his boots for the Waratahs, Joseph Suaalii is set to join the Wallabies for the first time.
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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is expected to make his first appearance for the Wallabies in a training camp on Monday in the nation’s capital.
The NRL convert is set to meet new Wallabies teammates in Canberra for a two-day training camp, just over two weeks after playing his last game for the Roosters in their preliminary final loss to Melbourne Storm.
Suaalii’s expected arrival – final terms are now being discussed between Rugby Australia and the Roosters so the player is released from the NRL contract that officially expires on October 31 – will mark the beginning of one of the highest-profile code switches in history.
The 21-year-old has signed a $5.35 million deal with RA taking him through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It has now been reported by Nine that Suaalii’s contract has an additional two-year clause in his favour, which if he activates, will allow him to earn an additional $2 million per year from RA for the 2028 and 2029 seasons.
CODE Sports understands that the clause is in Suaalii’s deal, signed by former RA chairman Hamish McLennan and signed off by the RA board, meaning the game is investing a potential $9.35 million into Suaalii.
NSW Waratahs and Brumbies players will gather in Canberra on Monday in a camp led by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, and Australia XV coach Rod Seib, in preparation for the northern tour to the UK next month.
Queensland Reds and Western Force players will gather for a similar camp later next week in Brisbane.
From those camps, squads for the Wallabies and Australia XVs featuring a total of 64 players, will be chosen for the spring tour.
Among the surprise entrants for the Canberra training camp is Tahs playmaker Tane Edmed, who has spent the past two months playing in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.
Edmed will be pushing incumbent Wallabies playmakers Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh for a shot at the No.10 jersey.
Lalakai Foketi is another addition to the training squad, alongside incumbent NSW Wallabies Max Jorgensen, Taniela Tupou, Isaac Kailea, Andrew Kellaway, Angus Bell, Jake Gordon and Dave Porecki.
It’s also understood Brumbies players in the training squad include halfback Ryan Lonergan and hooker Billy Pollard.
The official squads for the Wallabies and Australia XV squads are expected to be announced on October 21.
It remains unclear at this stage whether Suaalii will be part of the Wallabies or Australia XV squads, but it’s likely his introduction will be through the Australia XV team when they face Bristol Bears on November 8.
Australia XV then has a second tour game against England A on November 17 at Twickenham.
If Suaalii plays in both of those games, he could still make his Wallabies debut against Scotland (November 25) or Ireland (December 1).
2024 Australia XV Tour
Australia XV v Bristol Bears, 7:45pm GMT, Friday November 8, Ashton Gate, Bristol
Australia XV v England A, 2:00pm GMT, Sunday November 17, Twickenham Stoop, London
Wallabies End of Year Tour
Wallabies v England, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, Twickenham, London
Wallabies v Wales, 3:10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Wallabies v Scotland, 12:40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies v Ireland, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
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Originally published as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set to join Wallabies camp mere weeks after last NRL game