Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii: Australian stars against England in ‘first grown-up game of rugby’
At the age of 21, playing your first senior game in professional rugby league in front of 82,000 people at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham can be an overwhelming moment.
But Joseph-Okuso Sualei not only survived, he thrived, winning the away team’s man of the match award. A last minute win over England.
Surprisingly, this is his first involvement with the union since playing for the Australian Schoolboys in 2019.
Joe Schmidt’s side needed some magic after conceding two early attempts after getting into the game with some fine touches.
The former rugby league star – who signed a three-year contract with Rugby Australia reportedly worth A$5.35 million (£2.7m) – did not disappoint.
A little pick-up saw Sualy fall to the outside of the electric Ollie Slaterholm, before a ridiculous one-handed over-the-top pass past George Furbank set up Tom Wright.
Former England defender Paul Grayson believes the sport has “taken a huge star” from the league.
“He had passed the ball before the game even started,” Grayson told BBC’s Rugby League Weekly . “When Furbank started to step in, he was already doing a gentle little basketball roll on him.
“You know you have to commit, but he’s done with you. It’s glorious.
“It was actually his first senior rugby league game.”
Matt Dawson, England’s 2003 World Cup winner, added: “Souari is 6ft 5in and has arms like Mr Tickell. When he puts the ball in the air he’s like eight foot Same, it’s really hard to stop.”
