Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii vows to ‘go after it’ as he prepares for Origin debut with Blues

With one call from NSW coach Michael Maguire, a dream that began for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as a four-year-old came to fruition.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Roosters is tackled during the round 11 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, on May 18, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii had gone for a walk to clear his head when his phone buzzed with a call from NSW coach Michael Maguire. Just like that, a dream that began as a four-year-old came to fruition.

Suaalii will make his State of Origin debut in the opening game of the series next week at Accor Stadium, one of six new faces as Maguire kicked off his tenure with sweeping changes to the battling Blues.

Suaalii will start in the centres and while his selection had been mooted for some time, it wasn’t until he got the phone call from Maguire that he was able to relax.

“I feel really proud,” Suaalii said.

“Every four-year-old kid who plays rugby league, you watch (Origin), you remember watching it in front of the TV as a kid.

“Now being able to put on that Blue jersey and being able to represent everyone in NSW, it feels surreal, proud.

“I just want to go after it. That’s what came into my mind.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is in the Blues’ starting side. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Suaalii hung up the phone from Maguire and FaceTimed his parents to share the news. They happened to be with his wider family.

All told, about 30 members of the Suaalii clan shared the moment with the 20-year-old Sydney Roosters sensation who is rugby union-bound next year, but for the moment fully immersed in rugby league.

For the next two months, his focus will switch between the Roosters and the Blues as he and his NSW teammates attempt to break Queensland’s stranglehold on the shield.

He won’t be the only new face – Zac Lomax, Dylan Edwards, Cameron McInnes, Haumole Olakau’atu and Spencer Leniu will make their debuts in the opening game of the series.

Suaalii is the youngest and most contentious given his decision to switch codes and pursue a Wallabies jersey.

There were some who believed he shouldn’t be picked but Maguire and ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys both publicly backed his availability.

When push came to shove, Maguire had no hesitation selecting him to take on a Maroons outfit that has won the past two Origin series.

HIs form for the Roosters warranted it. He has spent much of the year on the wing but was outstanding against Canberra on the weekend in the centres.

“There was a lot of talk around it,” Suaalii said.

“I was just focused on playing for the Roosters. I knew if I played good football for my club, I was in there with a chance.

“It was always my dream to play for the NSW Blues. I wanted that blue jersey.”