Last December, Joseph Suaalii was in a moonboot, restricted to running on a treadmill, and his sole goal was to play a few more games for the Sydney Roosters.
He stood on one side of the field at an Emerging Blues camp at Sydney Olympic Park and talked about how he had added five kilos to his frame and learned valuable lessons during COVID lockdown.
But for all his confidence, not even Suaalii could have predicted he would go on to play 19 NRL games, score 15 tries – many of them via the spectacular aerial route – get selected in Brad Fittler’s extended NSW Origin squad and then be discussed as a Kangaroos winger before opting to join Samoa at the World Cup.
If there is one player who could generate more buzz than any other at this Cup, it is Suaalii.
Even Australian skipper and Roosters teammate James Tedesco was “disappointed” Suaalii opted to side with the tiny Pacific nation, and was keen to play alongside him in the green and gold.
Suaalii has never been afraid to dream big, which is why he is not kidding when he says Samoa can cause a Cup boilover.
Joseph Suaalii training with Samoa in Sydney before he jetting out for the World Cup.Credit:Rhett Wyman/SMH
Take a quick peek at their likely backline, which features Penrith’s premiership contingent of Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Izack Tago and Taylan May – and Suaalii in his preferred position of fullback – and you can begin to appreciate the Samoan hype.
“We want to win this World Cup,” Suaalii told The Sun-Herald before he flew out for England.
“That’s the goal. I’ve got full confidence we can make it deep into the finals.
“Ten months ago I was in a boot and still trying to walk around. But I always had these goals and these things in my head I wanted to do. I’ve worked hard, and now it’s starting to pay off.
“I played consistent footy for the Roosters, and I knew if I could do that everything would look after itself. The thing I’m proudest of is staying injury-free, and how I’ve looked after my body every day.”
Suaalii said the decision to choose Samoa over Australia was based on family. His father Chris is Samoan, while his grandparents still live on the island.
“It was a hard phone call to Mal [Meninga], it’s hard telling someone you don’t want to play for Australia,” Suaalii said.
“But I went with my heart, and my heart said, ‘go play for Samoa’. My family backed my decision as well.”
The chance to show what he can do at fullback will not be lost on rival clubs and even rival codes. The dream to wear the No.1 will not happen at the Roosters while Tedesco, the game’s premier fullback, is still at the Bondi club.
Heart over head … Joseph Suaalii chose Samoa over Australia for this World Cup.Credit:Rhett Wyman/SMH
What Suaalii does moving forward has been a hot topic – the Wallabies are allegedly cashed-up and ready to make an offer – but the 19-year-old The King’s School export was giving little away.
“I have next year at the Chookies, and I haven’t thought about it too much besides that,” Suaalii said.
“All I’m focused on is the World Cup and playing next year for the Roosters.”
Suaalii has a huge hunger to win an NRL title, especially after sitting inside Accor Stadium to watch the Panthers win last weekend. He is good mates with Parramatta centre Will Penisini and sat with his family in the stands, then made a low-key cameo in the Eels sheds after the game.
“To see Will play in a grand final is special,” Suaalii said.
“Props to the Panthers, they’ve set the standard all year. Hopefully the Roosters can win it next year.”
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