England’s greatest code-swapper has endorsed the Wallabies’ move to throw Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii into the deep end with a debut against England on Sunday morning, which could even be as a shock starter.
Former England and British and Irish Lions star Jason Robinson said there was no time like the present for Suaalii to be blooded by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with the Lions series in July next year fast approaching.
Suaalii only joined the Wallabies a few weeks ago after four years in the NRL, and though he has schoolboy rugby background, the 21-year has never played a senior game of the 15-man code.
His first game is set to be a Test match in front of 80,000 people at Twickenham, and after early predictions Suaalii would come of the bench, there is a now strong chance the 21-year-old will start in the midfield.
With Hunter Paisami injured and Samu Kerevi having not played since May, Suaalii has been training in both centre roles alongside Len Ikitau.
Schmidt will name his team in London on Thursday night (AEDT) but speaking with reporters earlier in the week, assistant coach Geoff Parling provided telling insight into how impressed the Wallabies coaching staff had been with the new recruit after only a few short weeks of training.
Joseph Suaalii models the Wallabies jersey to be used in the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.Credit: Getty Images
“Obviously, we want to play him when we think he’s ready, but I honestly couldn’t be more impressed with how he’s been so far. Certainly as a professional, he’s been really good,” Parling said.
“Honestly, he’s just slotted in seamlessly.”
With as few as four Tests left before the Lions series next year, the usually slow-and-steady Schmidt admitted last month he is looking to fast-track Suaalii’s development on the Spring Tour. Evidence in training that his rugby instincts are still fresh, and of Suaalii’s maturity as a professional athlete, has given comfort to the coaching staff.
“He’s a bit different, in that you get some guys that are fresh into this sort of environment and they’re not used to the big games, or the big occasion,” Parling said. “Well, he is used to some big games and big occasions.”
Former British & Irish Lions players (L-R) Tommy Bowe, Ireland, Jason Robinson, England, Ieuan Evans, Wales and Gavin Hastings of Scotland pose with the new Lions jersey.Credit: Getty Images
But with a nation’s eyes already on Suaalii given his defection and massive contract, the former Rooster would be put under even more pressure by starting on debut at Twickenham.
Robinson is one of a small handful with an insight into how it feels diving into the deep end in a new code. The former Wigan and Great Britain league star crossed to rugby in 2000, and after three caps off the bench for England, Robinson’s first start in Test rugby was on the wing for the Lions in the 2001 tour of Australia.
Known as “Billy Whiz”, Robinson scored a spectacular try in the opening three minutes of the Lions’ win at the Gabba, and two years later scored England’s only try in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in Sydney.
“It is a great time for him [Suaalii] because he is coming into a team that is going through challenges, so it is a good time in many ways to get in there and stake a claim for a place during the Lions series,” Robinson said.
Jason Robinson on the charge for the Lions in 2001, against the Waratahs.Credit: Craig Golding
“You don’t know how you are going to be, until you are thrown in. If you good enough, get him in and just see. While they are going through this time of development and discovery, why not put him in there and see what he can do? There is no point waiting til next year.”
Speaking at the official unveiling of the 2025 Lions jersey in London, Robinson said the advice he would give Suaalii is “just play your own game”.
“Sometimes people can put too much on the fact that you’re switching over and focus on the stuff you’re not used to, whereas actually the stuff I did well, when I came in, most people couldn’t do what I did,” he said.
“So you have to stay who you are and what you are. There will be times when he will get caught out, as I did numerous times over my career.
“But then there will also be certain things he does that very few people can do, so I would say … stick to what you’re good at. He obviously has a lot of talent. I hope he plays on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Western Force lock Darcy Swain has been named as captain of the Australia XV side to meet Bristol on Saturday morning (AEDT). Swain was a Wallabies regular under Dave Rennie but has not played a Test since late 2022.
The team to meet Bristol includes 10 Wallabies, including a return from injury for hooker Lachlan Lonergan.
Australia XV team v Bristol Bears
Australia XV team to play Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate in Bristol on Friday November 8 at 7:45pm GMT
1. Tom Lambert – NSW Waratahs
2. Lachlan Lonergan – ACT Brumbies
3. Rhys van Nek – ACT Brumbies
4. Angus Blyth – Queensland Reds
5. Darcy Swain (c) – Western Force
6. Tom Hooper – ACT Brumbies
7. Rory Scott – ACT Brumbies
8. John Bryant – Queensland Reds
9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – Western Force
10. Hamish Stewart – Western Force
11. Corey Toole – ACT Brumbies
12. Joey Walton – NSW Waratahs
13. Josh Flook (vc) – Queensland Reds
14. Lachlan Anderson – Queensland Reds
15. Andy Muirhead – ACT Brumbies
Substitutes
16. Tom Horton – Western Force
17. Harry Hoopert – Western Force
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu – Western Force
19. Ryan Smith – Queensland Reds
20. Luke Reimer – ACT Brumbies
21. Ryan Lonergan – ACT Brumbies
22. Ollie Sapsford – ACT Brumbies
23. Jock Campbell – Queensland Reds
