Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Suaalii not a 15 in rugby union says Wallaby great

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Israel Folau (Photo by Mark Kolbe/(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

One of the Wallabies’ all-time great fullbacks doesn’t think code-hopping sensation Joseph Suaalii should play 15 when he switches back to rugby union in 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT

Suaalii put in a romper performance for the Sydney Roosters just days after his multi-million dollar rugby union deal was struck, helping his team to a 28-20 win over Parramatta having slotted in at fullback for a concussed James Tedesco.

Yet Matt Burke doesn’t believe the controversial star should play in the 15-man game’s equivalent position.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

“All the talk is fullback in rugby league, and he did well on Thursday night when Teddy [James Tedesco] went off,” Burke said this week. “People are straight away saying he should play fullback in rugby union, but I don’t think so.”

Burke won 81 caps for the Wallabies at fullback during the comparative golden era of the 1990s and early noughties but doesn’t think the youngster would see enough ball in his old position.

“I reckon he would be a massive body at 13, a good runner of the ball with a good step. He would get his hands on the ball there, more so, and complement the people who are around him.”

Burke might see Suaalii as a Wallabies version of Sonny Bill Williams, but it’s another, even more, controversial code-hopper where similarities are eerily similar.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s hard to look at the 19-year-old and not see a young Israel Folau – at least in an on-field sense.

Both stand 6’5 and are powerfully built but athletic ball players who are equally happy in the air fielding high kicks as they are bringing the ball to the line.

Both share an offloading ability and an aerial prowess and have proven themselves to be prolific try-scorers, whichever code they’re playing. The duo are also known for their ability to create opportunities for their teammates.

Related

Suallii, like Folau, can play in multiple positions, so there’s little doubt he could make a go of any position from 11 to 15. Unlike Folau, Suaalii has the benefit of having played union as a standout schoolboy talent.

ADVERTISEMENT

While Folau’s relationship with Rugby Australia soured in the worst way imaginable, there’s no denying that he made an immediate impact in the game back in 2013, a feat that eludes the majority of rugby league crossovers.

Australian rugby will be hoping that lightning strikes twice with their $4.8 million dollar Suaalii gamble.

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 41 | Investec Champions Cup final preview

Hong Kong China vs Kazakhstan | Asia Rugby Emirates Women's Championship | Match Highlights

Kubota Spears vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Quarter Final Replay

Australia vs USA | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

New Zealand vs Canada | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

Argentina vs Australia | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
Solenn Bonnet 10 days ago
Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

WhatsApp.. +15617263697

website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

Telegram.. +15617263697

0 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why Steve Diamond should be in the running for Premiership DoR of the year Why Steve Diamond should be in the running for Premiership DoR of the year
Search