Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper tip Joseph Suaalii to be Wallabies’ most versatile player

Two of Australia’s greatest backline stars have had their say on rugby’s highest-profile recruit in years, and made an enormous tip on NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s Wallabies future.

Two of Australia’s greatest backline stars have tipped NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to be one of the Wallabies’ most versatile attacking stars.

Lote Tuqiri and Adam Ashley-Cooper have tipped the 21-year-old to star across a number of backline positions on the rugby field for Australia and the NSW Waratahs.

Since Suaalii’s high-profile switch from the Sydney Roosters on a record $5.35 million, three-year deal, the biggest question in rugby has been which position he’ll play.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said this week he’ll consider Suaalii in the centres, on the wing and fullback for the November spring tour, during which he is expected to make his Test debut.

“I think he’ll be one of the most versatile backs the Wallabies have ever had,” Ashley-Cooper said.

Adam Ashley Cooper during the Wallabies v All Blacks Bledisloe Cup rugby match at ANZ Stadium, Homebush, Sydney.

That is indeed high praise, since Ashley-Cooper is considered in most Australian rugby fans’ eyes as just that, having played inside centre, outside centre, wing and fullback for the Wallabies and Waratahs.

“The guy is a freak,” Ashley-Cooper said.

“He has had his experiences, and has a natural read of the game. Guys like Stephen Larkham and Kurtley Beale can see the game in a different way, and he’s got the ability to see the game in a different way, put himself in really good positions, create timing to beat defenders.”

Tuqiri, one of the most successful NRL converts to play for the Wallabies, believes Suaalii will be a major factor against the British & Irish Lions next year.

“He’s got the smarts playing all through school, that makes a big difference, and the good thing for the Wallabies is that those northern hemisphere guys haven’t seen too much of him, he can surprise them as well,” Tuqiri said.

“He can play 12, 13, 14 and 15.

“I’d like to see him touch the ball as much as he can, so I’d put him at 15, fullback, give him time to try some things, it looks like he’s got a pretty big boot on him as well.

“So I think he’s well suited for that position.

Dual Rugby International Lote Tuqiri who is entering coaching as the Connell Challenge Brisbane Tigers under 16 coach, Picture Lachie Millard

Australia's Lote Tuqiri charges past the Irish defence in 2008. Picture: AAP

“I think he’s more an Izzy Folau type, he is a big boy, and he is physical for such a young kid, I love his physicality.

“The world is his oyster if he wants to go somewhere in rugby.”

Many are tipping Suaalii to make his Test debut off the wing, and then eventually move to outside centre, where the Waratahs are tipped to play him next year.

Ashley-Cooper agrees with that strategy.

“With Joseph, I think he’ll start on the edge, but that comes with a few challenges,” said Ashley-Cooper, the Wallabies’ third highest tryscorer of all time.

“It’s not like you can just say ‘Let’s start him on the edge because that’s the easiest transition for him’, the wing position at Test football is absolutely critical because you are a second fullback.

“You’re responsible for most of the communication, the micro feedback inside you, controlling the defensive line, looking after your 13 who is pretty much operating in the D-line set and unstructured. So not only are you a second fullback, you’re also a second 13.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii trains with the Wallabies in Canberra. Photo by Rugby Australia

“If he can pass left to right and right to left, and can develop a sharp contestable kicking game – ones in behind to find space, the ability to put it on the foot to alleviate pressure – the natural progression for him is into 13.

“If you look at his frame and his ability to carry the ball and soak in defenders, he can excel.”

But Ashley-Cooper said for Suaalii to work as an outside centre, the Wallabies would need to have distributors at five-eighth and inside centre.

“You look at the game today, where is the space? Unstructured on the edge,” Ashley-Cooper said.

“Defences are getting better each year and these systems are tightly run.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii starred for the Roosters before he crossed to rugby union. Picture: Getty Images

“The Waratahs in 2014, we had Bernard Foley and 10 and Kurtley Beale at 12, I was 13 and never saw so much ball as that, we had Izzy Folau and guys on the outside seeing a lot of ball because the guys on the inside could distribute.

“Over the last few years we’ve just gone for a ballplayer at 10, and then two big ball carriers at 12 and 13.

“Joseph ticks all the boxes, big, physical, athletic. But how is he going to influence with and without the ball, how is he going to influence the blokes around him?

“So if you’re a winger, does that mean you have to stay out on the edge? If I’m Joe, I’m thinking the number on your back represents a position, but there are moments in the game where you need to go and find the ball, and find yourself in positions where you can influence the game.”

Originally published as Lote Tuqiri, Adam Ashley-Cooper tip Joseph Suaalii to be Wallabies’ most versatile player