Wallabies hand Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii starting debut in Spring Tour clash against England

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s rapid ascension to the top of Australian rugby will take another giant leap this weekend – with the NRL convert handed a shock debut against powerhouse England.

In the most remarkable debut story, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will go from having his first Wallabies rugby training session at a remote Canberra field, to running out to start against England at Twickenham in his first international.

Suaalii is set to be named as inside centre in Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies team for their first spring tour match, just weeks after he joined camp and began introducing himself to players in Canberra on October 14.

It is five years since Suaalii last played a game of rugby union, when he turned out the Australian Schoolboys in 2019 - after previously playing for the Kings School as a student.

Now the former NRL star enters the home of rugby, where 82,000 fans will belt out God Save The King, as Suaalii is tasked with saving Australian rugby.

It’s understood while Suaalii will wear the No.12 jersey, he will play at outside centre while Len Ikitau will adopt the inside centre role.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his Wallabies debut in the centres. Picture: Getty

Coincidentally, England have switched up their centre pairings.

Last week, Ollie Lawrence started at inside centre and Henry Slade at outside centre against the All Blacks, and this week they’ve swapped positions. It’s certain they’ll switch back during the game during different attacking formations.

The Suaalii-Ikitau centre partnership gives the strongest indication that this is the duo Schmidt wants to play against the British & Irish Lions next year, and the sudden elevation of the 21-year-old is designed to get him used to opponents he is likely to face in the 2025 series.

England will provide a stern first Test, given the way they’ve started to attack the middle channels with a variety of forwards and backs, and passing behind decoy runners.

Suaalii has not played a game of rugby since he was a schoolboy, so his education will be a practical test of the highest order.

Samu Kerevi has been recalled by the Wallabies – but has been overlooked for a starting role. Picture: Getty

However, regular inside centre Hunter Paisami was ruled out of the spring tour with injury. Samu Kerevi was recalled to the squad and was tipped to start in this game, but it’s believed he is struggling with his conditioning due to not having played a full professional game since March.

It’s believed he will be named on the bench as midfield cover.

Suaalii, who is signed to a $5.35 million, three-year deal to Rugby Australia and will likely be the face of the Lions marketing campaign, gets to make a first impression in one of the toughest arenas for the Wallabies.

Australia has not beaten England at Twickenham since the 2015 World Cup.

England host the Wallabies on Saturday (Sunday 2.10am AEDT).

ENGLAND TEAM

1. Ellis Genge 2. Jamie George 3. Will Stuart 4. Maro Itoje 5. George Martin 6. Chandler Cunningham-South 7. Tom Curry 8. Ben Earl 9. Ben Spencer 10. Marcus Smith 11. Tommy Freeman 12. Henry Slade 13. Ollie Lawrence 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 15. George Furbank.

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie 17. Fin Baxter 18. Dan Cole 19. Nick Isiekwe 20. Alex Dombrandt 21. Harry Randall 22. George Ford 23. Ollie Sleightholme.

Originally published as Wallabies hand Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii starting debut in Spring Tour clash against England