Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt targets more league stars after successful switch by Joseph Suaalii
Rugby is a more global game that can appeal to young league stars, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says as he suggests Union could attract more code-jumpers like Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
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Joe Schmidt says the Wallabies must target more rugby league playing juniors, as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made a miracle recovery to be named to start against Ireland.
The Australian coach says creating a successful Wallabies team can lure more talented league stars across to union and disrupt the dominance the NRL has on junior recruitment.
“The pipeline has become a little bit fragmented and probably narrow, and what we’re trying to do by getting people excited about the top end, is probably capture a few more of the players that may otherwise have gone to rugby league,” Schmidt said.
“It’s a pretty constant threat. There are 18 rugby league teams that play in the NRL, not all of them based in rugby areas, or in Australia. But that’s a constant battle.”
Rugby Australia’s $5 million recruit from the NRL will complete the quartet of hallowed international grounds after playing at Twickenham, Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Aviva Stadium in Dublin this weekend.
The 21-year-old Suaalii was taken off in the 30th minute against Scotland with a stinger, having lost feeling in his arm, but has been passed fit for the clash against world No.2 Ireland.
Suaalii’s spring tour experience can resonate with younger league players, Schmidt believes.
“Joseph, even being over here, experiencing what he’s experiencing over here, it’s very hard to do that in the NRL,” Schmidt said.
“Rugby is a much more global game. So he’s been pretty excited about getting out and getting into the rugby circle.
“There may be other youngsters coming through the school system at the moment, just like Joseph did.
“He went through King’s School, played rugby union right through school, but was also captured by the Roosters rugby league team and played really well for them.
“So we’d love to get a few more of those guys, but the players who actually come out of schools and are highly competitive.
“There are green shoots, and I suppose it’s our responsibility as the Wallabies to make sure that we can provide a bit of sunlight for those green shoots.”
