Category: Australia Rugby

• Sua’ali’i picked at outside centre after recent code switch
• Joe Schmidt hopes he ‘can hit the ground running’

Joe Schmidt has only made one change to Australia’s starting XV ahead of this weekend’s Test against England, but it’s a big one. Joseph Sua’ali’i, 21 years old and 6ft 5in, has been picked to start his first ever game of professional rugby union. Sua’ali’i hasn’t played the code since he was a schoolkid, but, with only four Tests on this tour left before Australia’s first against the British & Irish Lions next year, Schmidt’s running short of time to find out if Sua’ali’i’s up to international rugby union after his A$5m (£2.54m) switch from rugby league.

Schmidt admits it’s a risk. “Everything is,” he said. “The thing that gives me confidence is how well Joseph prepares himself. He’s a very professional young man. He’s had plenty of experience both playing rugby union, and as a professional in rugby league. So hopefully he can hit the ground running.”

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Former Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is reportedly set to debut for the Wallabies at centre against England just under two months after switching codes from rugby league.

• Back in line to feature against England on Saturday
• ‘He’s got a lot of talent and will get the opportunity’

Jason Robinson, the most successful cross-code rugby player of the modern era, is backing Australia’s newest league convert to make an instant impact if he is parachuted into Saturday’s Test against England. Joseph Sua’ali’i is in line to feature in a Wallaby jersey for the first time and could even start despite not having played a single game of professional union.

Australia are desperately hoping the 21-year-old Sua’ali’i will be the catalyst who transforms their recent fortunes, not just in their forthcoming November Tests but in next year’s three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions. If the former Sydney Roosters back does make his debut at Twickenham, Robinson is among those who believe he may surprise a few people.

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Former England forward turned Joe Schmidt’s right-hand man is well placed to gauge the challenge facing Australia

Time was, and not so long ago, when Steve Borthwick and Geoff Parling were squaring off against each other at lineouts, Borthwick at Saracens, Parling for Leicester. In the early 2010s the clubs were often drawn together in the playoffs – there were a couple of finals in 2010 and 2011, a semi in 2012. “Humdingers,” Parling says now.

A decade later, they will be at it again at Twickenham on Saturday, as coaches this time. Borthwick, of course, with England, and Parling with Australia, where he works as Joe Schmidt’s right-hand man.

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• Four home nations emblems woven into the fabric
• Fixture confusion unresolved over Melbourne dates

Seldom in the history of sports kit has more breathless hype surrounded the launch of a humble rugby jersey. “A masterpiece” and “a wearable piece of art” were among the gushing tributes paid to the shirt the players will wear on next year’s men’s British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, which does admittedly look slightly different to its predecessors.

In a “seamless tapestry” the emblems of all four home nations have been woven into the fabric and there is even a tag on the garment which, if scanned, allows supporters to tap into an app containing extra rugby-related digital content.

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The Wallabies’ disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign still haunts Will Skelton, with the towering lock having returned to national team duty desperate to make amends on Australia’s Grand Slam tour of the UK and Ireland.
Skelton was captain of Australia’s squad at last year’s World Cup in France but, because of injury, only played one match in the tournament.

New Zealand may only have edged out England 24-22 at Twickenham on Saturday but two-try star Mark Tele’a victory in their November international opener was “massive” for the All Blacks.

Wallabies prop Angus Bell has defended the decision to select league convert Joseph Sua’ali’i for the upcoming tour of England after critics labelled the ex-Roosters inclusion a “disgrace.”

Code-hopper Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is being thrust straight into the big-time after being named in the 34-man Wallabies squad for spring tour of the UK fresh out the NRL having not played a game of rugby since he was a schoolboy star.

Former Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom has claimed the French court hearing that resulted in his five-year jail sentence was a “clear perversion of justice.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s only conversation when he met Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt on the weekend was about family, but the rugby convert has declared he’s “ready” to suit up in a gold jersey as soon as he’s called on.

An international arrest warrant was issued on Friday against former Australia rugby captain Rocky Elsom, who was sentenced in his absence to five years in prison by a French court for misuse of corporate assets, a lawyer in the case told AFP.

Axed Super Rugby club the Melbourne Rebels have kicked off a $30 million course case against Rugby Australia in the Federal Court of Australia to try get themselves back into the Pacific competition.

It may be at least five years until we see Joseph Suaalii back in the NRL again amid the report that his rich deal with Rugby Australia includes a secret contract clause.

Just 10 days after his rugby league career ended, Joseph Manu has been captured training with his new Japanese rugby outfit Toyota Verblitz.