Joe Schmidt’s rebuild will reach new heights this weekend, as the New Zealander unveils Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as his 17th Wallaby of 2024. This is the most since 1928.
roar It can be revealed that Suaalii, the Wallabies’ new poster boy who played his last rugby match 1864 days ago during the Australian Schoolboys’ upset against New Zealand schools, will feature in midfield against England at Twickenham on Sunday (2.15am AEDT). there is. Grand Slam opening match.
It’s a far cry from AAMI Park, the venue where Suaalii’s NRL career with the Sydney Roosters ended, but Schmidt wasted no time in bringing his shiny new toy into battle.
Suaali is expected to start in central midfield and form a midfield pairing alongside the experienced Len Ikitau.
Although he will wear the number 12 jersey on his back, the 21-year-old is believed to attack from outside center alongside Ikitau, playing second five/8 with the ball in hand.
One of the reasons for the attacking switch is that Ikitau, who has never started a Test for the Wallabies at inside centre, has a strong combination with Brumbies team-mate and flyhalf Noah Lolesio.
NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to make his debut for the Wallabies at Twickenham. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Suaalii’s immediate inclusion comes after Hunter Paisami, the Wallabies’ regular inside center under Schmidt, was ruled out of the tour after sustaining a calf injury in the final training session before boarding to London.
Suaalii grew up playing the game, unlike his idol and fellow Crosscode star Israel Folau, but few could have predicted he would be thrown into the deep end so quickly by Schmidt.
In front of 82,000 fans, Sualii will have nowhere to hide against a well-drilled England team. They were beaten by the All Blacks last week by an upright right of the post and last year they were beaten by just one goal in the World Cup semi-finals. Refers to Springboks.
But Suaalii will be tasked with turning up immediately, carrying the burden of being Australia’s most expensive player for the Test.
He will follow in the footsteps of Wallabies great Matt Giteau, who made his Test debut at Twickenham in 2002 before playing Super Rugby.
Former Wallaby outback Drew Mitchell said recently: size Speaking on the podcast, he thought Suaalii’s best position would be outside centre, while Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper disagreed on whether he should start his career in midfield or on the wing.
“If you’re going to face him against the Lions when he’s 13, you better get him there now because at some point on this tour he’s going to be playing against the opponents he’s going to face for the Lions.” said the Wallabies’ greatest World Cup tryscorer.
Joseph Suali and Samu Kerevi train with the Wallabies. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
With the midfield already more complex than expected, Schmidt is expected to make minimal other changes to the starting squad, including the possibility of an adjustment or two up front.
Japanese midfielder Samu Kerevi, who has worn the number 12 shirt in the last two World Cup seasons, is likely to be recalled via the bench and will likely offer Schmidt an insurance plan if his starting midfielder does not perform well.
If he is selected, it will be Kerebi’s 50th test appearance for Japan, with only two weeks of playing time on the field in the last six months.
Speaking to the media in London earlier this week, Kerevi declared Suaalii “ready” for his highly anticipated debut, likening him to three-time John Eales Medalist Israel Folau.
“You saw him play in Origin, you saw him play at the highest level of rugby league. Even though it’s a different game, the translation of how he competes is there. Physically he is there. “He is ready,” he said.
“Even though he’s 21, he reminds me a little bit of ‘Easy.’
“I’ve talked about him a lot since I played with him in Japan, and we’re close friends.
“I know he wants to get his hands on a Test jersey and supports himself. This is exactly what you want.
“His attention to detail is really great. Because he wants to learn more about the game, know his role well and execute it, especially under testing lights. He’s been asking me questions all week… I’m excited for him.”
The Wallabies, who have won just one of 11 Tests against England since the 2015 World Cup, are considered unlikely to end a run of nine successive defeats at Twickenham.
Suaalii will become the 17th debutant under Schmidt, with 18 new faces named in 1928 and 1920.
Wallabies assistant coach Geoff Parling, who played half of his Tests at Twickenham and finished his playing career in England by winning the Premiership with Exeter in 2017, admitted he is still finding out about his playing group as the coaching group nears its next team. . Lions series of the year.
“We’re still finding out about some of the players.” Former England and Lions lock Parling told reporters.
“We had 16 debutants before this game. It’s important to find out about those who are just beginning to be exposed to a testing career.
“It’s important for these players to experience what the atmosphere is like in Twickenham and Cardiff and big stadiums and to travel to places we’ve never been before. I think July and August next year will be good for us.”
The Wallabies’ forwards gathered around London lineout coach Geoff Parling. Photo: Julius Dimataga, Rugby Australia
Parling didn’t want to give anything away, but admitted she was “looking good.”
“I was really impressed by him. It’s a little bit different in that you’re bringing in some guys who are incredible athletes and who are new to this type of environment and not used to big events. Well, he is,” Parling said.
“And I couldn’t be more impressed with how he has supported us so far in terms of his support and preparation.”
Parling, who played alongside Sam Burgess during the NRL great’s brief foray into rugby during the failed 2015 World Cup campaign, said the difference between the two code hoppers was that Suaalii played XV-man games as a junior.
“I think Joseph is a bit different from Sam because he played union at school. So he has a decent union background and is younger than Sam when he makes the transition,” Parling said.
“Honestly, I couldn’t be more impressed with him the way he’s been doing. Certainly, as a professional and as a human being, he was truly amazing. He just settled in seamlessly.”
After months of adjustments and changes, Parling was asked if the coaching group wanted to solidify their preferred team for the end of the year.
“We really pick our teams every week,” he said.
“We have honest conversations as coaches. We all put in our bit.
“I don’t know if that will happen. We sometimes want to develop combinations, but sometimes niggles don’t allow it. We go every week.”
Schmidt is scheduled to announce his team at 12am (AEDT) on Friday.
