Joseph Suaalii makes Wallabies squad, but Tom Lynagh in doubt as Tane Edmed emerges as bolter
The high-profile code switch of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to be cemented with his selection in Joe Schmidt’s official Wallabies squad, while the future of another young gun remains clouded.
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NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to be named in the official Wallabies Grand Slam touring squad after two training sessions with the team.
But the future of playmaker Tom Lynagh remains clouded.
Suaalii will be travelling with the Wallabies to the northern hemisphere and this masthead understands he will be parachuted straight into Joe Schmidt’s squad to face the four nations from which next year’s British & Irish Lions team will be picked.
Wallabies coach Schmidt and Australia XV coach Rod Seib will jointly announce their touring squads in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, but it can be confirmed that after two days of training, Suaalii will be picked.
The 21-year-old star spent Monday and Tuesday of last week in camp with the Wallabies and Australia XV contenders in Canberra last week and impressed enough to get a ticket on the plane, and will be in consideration to make his Test debut against England on November 10.
A total of 64 players are set to be picked, with 34 of those in the main Wallabies squad for the Grand Slam spring tour against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Another 30 will be picked for the Australia XV games against Bristol and England A.
The England A game will be an officially capped game.
However, Suaalii will be training with the main squad and his development is set to be fast-tracked so he is in prime position to be one of the Wallabies’ key attacking threats in the 2025 Lions series.
However, four-Test Wallabies five-eighth Lynagh is set to be a major casualty from the touring squads.
It’s understood 21-year-old Lynagh will travel with Queensland Reds on their Japanese tour, while Waratahs playmaker Tane Edmed will storm into the Wallabies touring squad after a stint in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.
Edmed was overlooked for Schmidt’s squads for the July series against Wales and Georgia, and then The Rugby Championship.
Following the Super Rugby season, Edmed decided to join North Harbour, and following impressing displays he was brought into the Canberra training camp alongside Suaalii last week.
Now he is set to be flying north, and will have a chance to compete against Noah Lolesio and Ben Donaldson for the Wallabies’ No.10 jersey.
Edmed could also play for the Australia XV team and then join the Wallabies for the final two games of the spring tour.
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 Suaalii makes Wallabies squad, but Tom Lynagh in doubt as Tane Edmed emerges as bolter