Joseph Sua'ali'i
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Full name | Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Penrith, New South Wales, Australia | 1 August 2003|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 196 cm (6 ft 5 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 98 kg (15 st 6 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby league | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Wing, Centre, Fullback | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Centre, Wing, fullback | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [2] As of 24 November 2024 |
Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i (Samoan: Anavaotaua Iosefa Aukuso Suaali’i; born 1 August 2003)[3][4] is an Australian rugby union footballer who plays for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super Rugby and the Australia national rugby team. He previously played rugby league as a winger or centre for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL), for New South Wales and for Samoa at international level.
Described as a teen prodigy,[5] Sua'ali'i received significant media attention during contract negotiations in 2020[6] as well as during his announcement in March 2023 of switching to rugby union starting in 2025. In 2021, he was granted an exemption to play in the NRL prior to his 18th birthday, prompting discussions about the welfare of young players.[7][6]
Early life and background
[edit]Sua'ali'i was born in Penrith, a western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, the son of a Samoan father and an Australian mother of Cambodian and European heritage.[8]
He grew up playing rugby league for the Glenmore Park Brumbies and then moved to the Coogee Wombats from age 12.[9]
Sua'ali'i attended Regentville Public School[10][11] and attended The King's School, Parramatta. Joseph set the Australian 12-year-old male high jump record in 2015.[12] He is the nephew of Samoan Australian boxer Paulo Aokuso.
Rugby league career
[edit]In 2018, Sua'ali'i played rugby league for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Harold Matthews Cup (under 16s).[11] He played rugby union as a fullback for The King's School's 1st XV from the age of 14, and in 2018 was selected to represent the GPS 1st XV, and the NSW Schoolboys and Australian Schoolboys in rugby sevens.[4]
In February 2019, Sua'ali'i re-signed with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2021 season.[4][13] He captained the Harold Matthews Cup team in 2019, scoring fifteen tries in nine matches, and was named the Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year.[14][15]
Conflicting reports in mid-2020 suggested that Sua'ali'i had agreed to a multi-million dollar contract with either the Rabbitohs,[16][17][18] or Rugby Australia, which they denied.[19][20] In discussions with both those enitities, Sua'ali'i reportedly wanted 'get out' clauses available in his favour.[21]
Sydney Roosters
[edit]In November 2020, it was reported that the Sydney Roosters had signed Sua'ali'i from 2022 onwards,[22] with the 'get out' clauses having been accepted by the club.[23] The signing was officially announced on 1 December, with Sua'ali'i joining the Roosters effective immediately after he was released from the final year of his Rabbitohs contract.[24]
2021
[edit]Sua'ali'i made his debut for North Sydney Bears in round one of the 2021 NSW Cup season. Sua'ali'i scored two tries in North Sydney's 48–20 loss to the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.[25]
On 15 March 2021, the ARL Commission granted Sua'ali'i an exemption to play in the NRL before turning 18-years-old.[26][27] Sua'ali'i made his NRL debut on 22 May 2021, playing at centre for the Sydney Roosters in their round eleven loss to the Brisbane Broncos.[28][29][30] At age 17 years and 294 days, Sua'ali'i was the first player since Jason Taumalolo in 2010 to debut prior to their 18th birthday.[31] Sua'ali'i scored his first NRL try the following week as the Sydney Roosters defeated the Canberra Raiders in round twelve.[32][33] Sua'ali'i played in the Roosters' next three fixtures (Gold Coast Titans, Penrith Panthers, Melbourne Storm), winning one and losing two. Following the Roosters' heavy round sixteen defeat to the Melbourne Storm, Sua'ali'i did not play again for the remainder of the season, as, announced on 13 July 2021, he had accrued a foot injury.[34][35]
2022
[edit]Sua'ali'i was absent from the first five rounds of the 2022 NRL season from a foot (lisfranc) injury. Following round four, Sua'ali'i said “My foot is going well, feeling good. I've been making sure I've been looking after it and doing everything I can to stay on top of it. I'm happy here learning the game. But there's no rush. I'm just trying to go game-by-game.”[36] After sitting out for another round, Sua'ali'i re-appeared for the Roosters in round six against the New Zealand Warriors.[37] Sua'ali'i scored his first try of the season in round eight against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a 16–12 loss.[38]
In rounds nine and ten, Sua'ali'i continued his attacking form from the previous round, scoring four tries over the next two fixtures: a double in a 44–16 win over the Gold Coast Titans,[39] and, in incredible fashion, a double in a 31–24 victory over the Parramatta Eels.[40][41] Between rounds eleven and sixteen managed to score four tries, with the Roosters only managing to get one win from six games. Up to round sixteen the Sydney Roosters were in poor form, sitting tenth on the Premiership ladder. However, statistically Sua'ali'i was fairing very well. He had ten tries (one assist), he averaged 131 run metres, 27.5 kick return metres, 5.6 tackles (62 total), 3.2 tackle breaks (35 total), and had eight linebreaks.[42]
From round eighteen until the second-last round (twenty-four), Sua'ali'i, and the Sydney Roosters, were outstanding. Sua'ali'i scored six tries in a seven match win-streak, to finish the season in sixth place. Regarded as the league's "in form" team, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks was the only other team to have won their last five matches by seasons end.[43] Sua’ali’i ended his second NRL season as the Dally M Winger of the Year.[44]
2023
[edit]In round one of the 2023 NRL season, the Sydney Roosters played away against the newly-entered team the Dolphins. Sua'ali'i scored the first try of the match, however the Roosters lost 18–28 at Lang Park, Brisbane.[45][46]
In Anzac Round against St George Illawarra Dragons Sua'ali'i kicked his first NRL goal. He played 21 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. He played in both of the clubs finals games as they were eliminated in the second week against Melbourne.[47]
2024
[edit]On 26 May, he was named at centre for New South Wales ahead of game one in the 2024 State of Origin series.[48] During Game 1, Sua'ali'i was sent off for a high hit on Queensland fullback Reece Walsh seven minutes into the game. Sua'ali'i became only the sixth player in Origin history to be sent off. New South Wales went on to lose the match 38-10.[49][50]Sua'ali'i was subsequently charged with a grade two reckless high tackle offence. Sua'ali'i was later suspended for four weeks over the incident.[51][52]
International rugby league career
[edit]Being born in Australia with a Samoan parent, Sua'ali'i was eligible to represent either Australia or Samoa at international level.
Samoa coach Matt Parish, in late August, called Sua'ali'i to sway his opinion on playing for Samoa.[53] Weeks later, and a month before the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, Sua'ali'i responded to the call-up stating his intentions to play for Samoa.[53][54] In late September 2022, he was named in the Samoa squad.[53][55]
Sua'ali'i played every minute of Samoa's 2021 Rugby League World Cup campaign, in which they started in Pool A against hosts England. Samoa lost by fifty-four points.[56] Although Sua'ali'i did not score in Samoa's second Group match against Greece, he helped with a try assist in a 72–4 victory.[57] Getting another try assist in Samoa's third Group fixture against France, Samoa won four straight matches and advanced to the Final against Australia, losing 30–10.[58]
Rugby union career
[edit]In late August 2022, it was reported that Sua'ali'i was being heavily pursued by Rugby Australia (RA) in an attempt to have him "switch codes" to play rugby union for an alleged A$10 million over five years (A$2 million p/y).[59][60] It was originally cited a month prior (July 2022) that RA had a number of NRL players in their sights to target before the 2027 Rugby World Cup to be hosted on home soil.[61][62] Although the reports were confirmed by Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan, he denied the price-tag associated with Sua'ali'i as being “fanciful”.[59] Following the moves on Sua'ali'i by Rugby Australia, Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Commissioner Peter V'landys criticised RA, stating: “[rugby union is] boring, slow and [a] hard-to-watch game.” He added: “I don’t think Sua'ali'i would go to rugby because he would be bored.”[63]
On 25 March 2023 (round four of the 2023 NRL season), it was announced that Sua'ali'i had signed with Rugby Australia (RA) to switch codes and play for the New South Wales Waratahs and Australia starting from 2025.[64][65] Although not confirmed, it was reported that Sua'ali'i's contract was between A$1.5 and A$1.6 million per year until the end of 2027.[66][67] The signing of Sua'ali'i by Rugby Australia came just a few weeks after Sua'ali'i activated a clause in his contract with the Sydney Roosters to stay until the end of the 2024 NRL season,[68][69] turning down a possible A$2.7–2.8 million dollar offer from rival NRL club the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[70]
Sua'ali'i's move was very high-profile,[71] being compared to former rugby league and rugby union players Israel Folau,[72] Sonny Bill Williams,[73] and Lote Tuqiri.[64] The move received both criticism and support from various individuals involved in the NRL and rugby union, including former rugby league player and coach Phil Gould who said on Nine's 100% Footy: “Go now. Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. Go. Go now. Gone. He's made his decision. You sign a contract for rugby 18 months before his league contract ends.”[74] Brandon Smith, a teammate of Sua'ali'i, quipped upon learning of his move: “Super stoked for him, he's an amazing talent and rugby really got a gem there, [but] a $1.6 million winger from the Roosters isn't going to help you beat the All Blacks. Like Peter V'landys said, go over, get that easy money and then come back to the real sport.”[75] ARLC Commissioner Peter V'landys, speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, stated of the move: “It's hard to blame Joseph for going to rugby and considering it as his future when he is going to be paid twice the money for doing half the work;” “In rugby they play around 33 minutes per match, but in league the ball is in play for 57 minutes, so it would be a lot easier to earn your money. Besides, I really think that after Joseph plays rugby for a little while he will get terribly bored and return to rugby league. That’s what the majority of the players who switch codes do.”[76] Former Wallaby Tim Horan, responding to V’landys' comments, stated: “I've been quite disappointed in the comments from some – not all – rugby league commentators. Quite disappointed about how they probably disrespected the game of rugby, I think, and how good we are globally... Peter V'landys, who's apparently a wonderful administrator to say 'I think you're going to be bored going and playing rugby' – I think that's pretty poor form from Peter.” Adding, “You probably should have said 'Joseph, thanks very much for what you've already done for us in the game. We've got two years left, we're going to support you for the next two years. You brought a lot of boys and girls through the turnstiles and we wish you the best when you go in two years' time.”[77]
International rugby union career
[edit]In October 2024, Suia'ali'i was named in the Australia national team squad for the Autumn Nations Series by head coach Joe Schmidt having only played his last game for the Sydney Roosters a month prior. This meant he had not made his debut for his new club, the Waratahs, at the time of the announcement.[78] In doing so, he became only the third player in Australian rugby history, after Matt Giteau and Tatafu Polota-Nau to debut for the Wallabies before playing in Super Rugby.[79] In November 2024, he was named at outside centre in the starting XV to make his debut against England at Twickenham.[80] He went on to win player-of-the-match in this fixture as Australia won 42-37.[81] This was Australia's first win at Twickenham since the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the first time they had won the Ella-Mobbs Trophy since 2012.[82] In the Autumn Nations Series fixture gainst Scotland he looked to have sustained a hand injury in the first half after a big tackle on Sione Tuipulotu forcing an early substitution. While his side went on to lose 27–13, his first loss in international rugby union, he was later cleared of a broken wrist and eligible to play in their final fixture of the series.[83][84]
Statistics
[edit]Rugby league statistics
[edit]- denotes team participated in seasons finals series.
New South Wales Cup
Team | Comp. | Season | Matches | Disc. | Goals | Tries | Points | Try ratio | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P | W | D | L | % | SB | SO | |||||||
North Sydney Bears[85] | NSW Cup | 2021 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 50 | — | — | 3 | 12 | 0.500 | |
2022[a] | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | |||
Total | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 67 | — | — | 3 | 12 | 0.333 | |||
Team | Comp. | Season | P | W | D | L | % | SB | SO | Goals | Tries | Points | Try ratio |
Matches | Disc. |
NRL
Team | Comp. | Season | Matches | Disc. | Goals | Tries | Points | Try ratio | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P | W | D | L | % | SB | SO | |||||||
Sydney Roosters[86] | National Rugby League | 2021[b] | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 40 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 0.200 | |
2022 | 19 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 58 | — | — | 15 | 60 | 0.789 | |||
2023 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 62 | — | 46 | 8 | 124 | 0.381 | |||
2024 | TBD | ||||||||||||
Total | 45 | 26 | 0 | 19 | 58 | — | 46 | 24 | 188 | 0.533 | |||
Team | Comp. | Season | P | W | D | L | % | SB | SO | Goals | Tries | Points | Try ratio |
Matches | Disc. |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Sua'ali'i did not take part in any of the North Sydney finals matches.
- ^ Although the team participated in the 2021 finals series, Sua'ali'i was not a part of the team due to injury and thus did not play.
References
[edit]- ^ "Team Lists" (PDF). schoolsrugby.com.au. Australian Schools Rugby.
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- ^ Halloran, Jessica; Ritchie, Dean; Rothfield, Phil (22 July 2020). "Joseph Suaalii rejects South Sydney Rabbitohs for $3 million deal with Australian rugby". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
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- ^ Gabor, Martin (18 April 2022). "'He was great': Trent Robinson impressed by Joseph Suaalii's NRL return". The Courier-Mail.
- ^ "Errors Haunt Easts in Tight Contest Against Bulldogs". roosters.com.au. 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Tedesco's ton up as Roosters thrash Titans". ESPN. 7 May 2022.
- ^ Pengilly, Adam (15 May 2022). "Suaalii scores screamer as Roosters snuff out Eels' Magic Round comeback". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Lenehan, Martin (15 May 2022). "Whiz kids fire as Roosters take down Eels". nrl.com. National Rugby League (NRL).
- ^ "Joseph Suaali'i". nrl.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022.
- ^ St John, Mark (29 August 2022). "Every scenario in the NRL's last round and week one of finals predicted". Fox Sports Australia.
- ^ "Roosters dominate 2022 Dally M Team of the Year". roosters.com.au. 29 September 2022.
- ^ Walsh, Dan (5 March 2023). "Power, passion and tears as Dolphins blow holes in Roosters with famous debut win". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "'They have a lot of problems': Roosters 'out on their feet' as legend reveals big 'concern'". Fox Sports Australia. 6 March 2023.
- ^ "NRL 2023: Sydney Roosters season review". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ "Blues name six rookies, new captain for Origin opener". www.nrl.com.
- ^ "Blues V Maroons - Game 1, 2024 Match Centre". National Rugby League. National Rugby League. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ "'Red card all day': NSW rookie SENT OFF in horror debut as brutal Walsh hit sparks debate". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ Walter, Brad (5 June 2024). "Sua'ali'i earns unwanted record after eighth minute send-off". NRL.com. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ "Joseph Suaalii facing four-game ban after sickening hit on Reece Walsh in State of Origin opener". www.nine.com.au.
- ^ a b c Read, Brent; Carayannis, Michael (24 September 2022). "Sport Confidential: Titans set to sign Joe Stimson, Golf date to decide Cam Munster's future". The Australian.
- ^ Tiernan, Eamonn (21 September 2022). "'Most difficult decision of my career': Kangaroos cop double blow as stars drop bombshells". Fox Sports Australia.
- ^ Walter, Brad (27 September 2022). "Samoa name eight grand final stars in powerful World Cup squad". nrl.com.
- ^ Gallan, Daniel (15 October 2022). "England 60–6 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup opener – as it happened". The Guardian.
- ^ "Samoa bounce back in 68-point massacre; Eels star's Lebanon masterclass: World Cup Wrap". Fox Sports Australia. 24 October 2022.
- ^ McLaughlin, Luke (19 November 2022). "Australia 30–10 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup final – as it happened". The Guardian.
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- ^ "Wallabies eye massive bid for 'X-factor' Suaalii – and contract clause could trigger code swap". Fox Sports Australia. 30 July 2022.
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- ^ a b Khan, Jo (25 March 2023). "NRL star Joseph Suaalii to switch codes for three-year contract with Rugby Australia". Guardian Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ Tiernan, Eamonn (25 March 2023). "Confirmed: Suaalii tells Roosters he's going, signs one of rugby's richest ever deals". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Georgina (27 March 2023). "Has rugby paid too much for Joseph Suaalii?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
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- ^ @Danny_Weidler (5 March 2023). "Souths offered Joseph Sua'ali'i $800k for 2024, $900k for 2025, $1m for 2026. Yet he stays for 2024 for around $700k at the Roosters. His relationship with Nick Politis and Trent Robinson is clearly very strong" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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- ^ Worthington, Sam (30 March 2023). "'Disrespected the game': Ex-Wallabies return serve on NRL leaders after 'bored' sledge". Nine.com.au. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
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- ^ Williamson, Nathan. "'Everything's an opportunity': Schmidt backs Suaalii to shine on Rugby's centre stage". Rugby Australia. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
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- ^ Worthington, Sam (10 November 2024). "Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii wins man of the match in eye-popping Wallabies debut". Nine Wide World of Sports. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
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- ^ "Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – NRL". nrl.com. National Rugby League (NRL).
External links
[edit]- 2003 births
- Living people
- Australian rugby league players
- Australian people of Cambodian descent
- Australian sportspeople of Samoan descent
- New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
- North Sydney Bears NSW Cup players
- People educated at The King's School, Parramatta
- Rugby league fullbacks
- Rugby league players from Penrith, New South Wales
- Rugby league wingers
- Rugby league centres
- Samoa national rugby league team players
- Samoan rugby league players
- Sydney Roosters players
- Australian rugby union players
- Australia international rugby union players
- Rugby union centres
- Rugby union wings
- New South Wales Waratahs players
- Footballers who switched code