Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on potential sevens switch to chase ‘dream’

Uncapped Wallabies prospect Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is open to potentially playing sevens at the Los Angeles Olympics. The former Sydney Roosters flyer hasn’t played a minute of professional rugby union yet but was asked about possibly switching codes in 2028.

Suaalii is contracted with Rugby Australia until at least 2027. While a move to sevens before the Rugby World Cup on home soil is seemingly out of the question, the possibility of chasing his Olympic “dream” could theoretically keep the prodigal talent in rugby union.

On Tuesday, six members of the Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad helped unveil the team’s jersey for next year’s British and Irish Lions Series. Suaalii was joined by Angus Bell, Max Jorgensen, Fraser McReight, Dylan Pietsch and Allan Alaalatoa at the scenic Bennelong Lawn.

Following the formalities of the jersey announcement, these Wallabies fronted the press one by one, with the Opera House within eyeshot as a bonus. Pietsch was up first, followed by McReight and then Suaalii.

Suaalii has been the talk of the town in rugby union since training with NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies players in Canberra earlier this month. But, after being named in the Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad, the 21-year-old has dominated some headlines around the rugby world.

All players were asked about Rugby Australia’s marquee recruit, while Suaalii himself was pressed about switching to union – offering an unwavering sense of self-belief in response. But at the end of the press conference, Suaalii was asked specifically about potentially trying sevens later on.

“Yeah I did, I watched the final for sevens,” Suaalii told reporters when asked about the Olympics.

“I feel like (for) every young kid it’s a dream to go to the Olympics. If you’re in school and everything stops for the 100-metre race, or any Aussie that’s going well, I feel like my teacher in school would always stop any moment.

“I remember Jessica Fox coming to school, she won a gold medal, and presented some sports awards. Even the memories kind of sparked something in myself to potentially one day be a dream of mine yeah.”

But, for now, any follow-ups on that are a conversation for another day. Suaalii is firmly focused on what lies ahead with Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies, with the men in gold set to jet off to Europe on Thursday for their enthralling Spring Tour.

Before taking on the British and Irish Lions next year, the Wallabies will play the four teams that make up the representative side. Australia will kick-start their tour against England before facing Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

It remains unclear as to what position Suaalii will play if given the chance to play for the Wallabies. But, the one-time State of Origin representative will be in the mix to play against some of the best teams in international rugby.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of the boys and they say the crowds are just next level. I just can’t wait to experience it,” Suaalii said. “If it’s sitting in the crowd or if it’s playing, look, I’m a fan of the sport and I just can’t wait to experience it.

“… I don’t see it as expectations, I see it as kind of a privilege. As a kid, I did go into the camp where I met Kurtley (Beale), Allan (Alaalatoa) was there, James Slipper was there too.

“It’s even cool just to be in a position now to wear the Wallabies jersey and hopefully inspire young kids.”