Why an NRL star turned Wallaby Joseph Suaalii has chosen the most controversial Australian rugby star to be his sporting idol.

Joseph Suaalii has revealed Israel Folau as his idol and inspiration as he vows to tackle the pressure and expectations head-on to become Australian rugby’s most prized signing in over a decade. .

In a wide-ranging interview on Tuesday, the outspoken Suaalii opened up about the attacks directed at him following his defection from the NRL. It was a declaration of pride in wearing Wallaby gold and a wish to one day represent Australia at the Olympic Games.

But the 21-year-old’s immediate focus will be living up to the multi-million dollar price tag and proving he deserves a call-up to the national team on the Wallabies’ upcoming Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland. Super Rugby single game.

‘I don’t think it’s an expectation. I think it’s kind of a privilege,’ Suaalii said at the unveiling of the Wallabies’ much-anticipated jumper for the British and Irish Lions next year.

The one-time NSW State of Origin representative has been linked with the NSW Waratahs leaving the Sydney Roosters for the 2024 Super Rugby wooden spoon.

But Suaalii insists he has no regrets and never once considered breaking his three-year RA contract, even as the entire NRL tried to persuade him to stay in rugby league.

‘I think everyone has an opinion that is respected,’ he said. ‘But yeah, I’m on my way. I think I’m dreaming the way I want to dream.

‘I had no doubt that I would come here. I knew right away what I was doing.

Joseph Suaalii revealed that Israel Folau was his idol and inspiration as a child.

A Wallabies debut on the British and Irish Lions tour awaits the 21-year-old after defecting from the NRL.

Israel Folau played 73 Tests for the Wallabies and was widely regarded as one of the Code’s best players (pictured, against England)

‘I wanted to play for Union one day, it’s always been a dream of mine.

‘So no matter what anyone said, that thought always stuck in my head. ‘Nothing will change.’

With no equal or preferred position at full-back, wing or centre, Suaali is inevitably already being compared to Folau.

The budding cross-codes star vividly recalls Folau making his Wallabies debut in the 2013 Lions series in Australia, becoming a dual international and then helping the Waratahs win the Super Rugby crown the following year. He was a three-time John Eales Medalist.

Now the prodigious talent has the opportunity to follow in Folau’s footsteps.

‘I actually met Israel when I was 14,’ Suaalii said.

‘I really looked up to him when I was young. As a young child, I think I really had a lot of things I wanted to ask.

‘I think that’s one of my strengths: learning. Israel was someone I could respect and ask questions about. Sometimes I catch up with him and he is a great mentor.’

Joseph Suaalii has impressed in the NRL with the Roosters but admits he wants to emulate Israel Folau in rugby. (Pictured, with former teammate James Tedesco)

The popular star has revealed that he wants to become an Olympic athlete. So he could represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Folau is one of the most controversial figures in Australian sport after winning an $8 million legal battle with Rugby Australia. He was sacked from the Wallabies after posting on Instagram that he was waiting for homosexuals and other ‘sinners’, including unrepentant drunks and adulterers.

Suaali is set to end his contract after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, but admitted he could keep it in place due to the prospect of playing rugby sevens at the Los Angeles Olympics.

‘I saw the Sevens final (in Paris this year),’ he said.

‘Yeah, I think it’s every little kid’s dream to go to the Olympics.

‘If you were at school and everything stopped for a 100-metre race or a well-run Australian Games, your primary school teacher would always stop.

‘I remember coming to school after Jessica Fox won her gold medal and presented the sports award. So even that memory sparked something that could one day become my dream.’