3 minute read
His teammates are anything but jealous of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's massive pay packet as rugby's prized signing prepares for his Wallabies debut in the UK.
Banishing any notion of jealousy, awestruck Wallabies teammates say they can't wait to play with "insanely talented" code hopper Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Amid much hype and anticipation, Suaalii will make his Wallabies debut on this month's grand slam spring tour of the UK and Ireland.
The pressure is on the former Sydney Roosters and NSW State of Origin star to deliver after being lured to the 15-man code on an eye-watering $5 million three-year deal, plus an option to stay on for two more years for an additional $4 million.
Wallabies greats were known to be livid with Rugby Australia for breaking the bank to secure Suaalii's services 18 months ago when the now-21-year-old was still a teenage super talent.
The current crop of Wallabies, though, insist there is nothing but respect and excitement for Suaalii.
"All that stuff's just fluff and people trying to make headlines," Wallabies prop and captain-in-waiting Angus Bell said before flying out on Thursday night.
"We don't listen to that stuff and, look, the proof's in the pudding - as soon as he steps on the field, you'll see how cheap the jersey is.
"He's a really, really humble guy, a great person.
"To see his professionalism at 21 years of age is insane. I know why and how good he is now."
Bell reckons it's laughable to suggest Suaalii wasn't deserving of a Wallabies call-up before even playing a single game of Super Rugby.
"He's an insane athlete. You look at the way he moves, the way he touches footies, the way he can kick," Bell said.
"He's got every attribute to be a world-class rugby player, not just in Australia, but probably one of the better ones in the world.
"He's only 21, so he's super impressive and I'm just looking forward to him to proving people wrong.
"He's very driven and he wants success, which is something that we're trying to find.
"So Joey's going to be a star. We all know that."
With Hunter Paisami missing the start of the tour to stay behind in Brisbane for the birth of his child, coach Joe Schmidt may be tempted to blood Suaalii at inside centre against England on November 11.
Japan-based veteran Samu Kerevi is another midfield option for the tour opener at Twickenham.
Whichever way Schmidt goes, Max Jorgensen is convinced the Wallabies are on a winner picking up his former schoolboys rival.
"He's just a pure athlete," Jorgensen said of his NSW Waratahs-bound teammate.
"You look at the size of him; he can can jump so high, he's just so athletic and he's got a footy brain.
"Obviously it will take a little time to pick some things up but he's a footy player and he's going to be awesome. He's just awesome to have."
As well as going back to their school days, Jorgensen and Suaalii also enjoyed a pre-season together two years ago at the Roosters.
"He played schoolboys in what was it Year 10 or Year 9 or something, so it's pretty crazy," Jorgensen said.
"He was just always probably the best player on the field. It's always been like that."
