Former England Rugby World Cup hero Jason Robinson has backed the decision to include former NRL star Joseph Sua’ali’i in the Australian squad to face England on Saturday.
His comments came ahead of Joe Schmidt’s selection announcement earlier today, with Sua’ali’i set to start at outside center for the crunch match at Twickenham.
The 21-year-old was poached by Rugby Australia earlier this year, signing a three-year contract reportedly worth around $5 million.
The outside back, who has excellent control of the high ball and can tear through defensive lines, left the Roosters earlier this year and began training with the Waratahs, earning particular praise from his new teammates and Schmidt.
He has also earned Robinson’s praise and is now ready to follow the legendary England winger, who most notably scored against Australia in the 2003 World Cup final, in making the move from league to association.
‘It’s a great time for him [Suaalii] because he’s coming into a team that’s going through challenges, so in many ways it’s a good time to get in there and stake a claim for a place in the Lions series,” Robinson said at the British and Irish Lions launch new sweater earlier this week.
“You don’t know how you’re going to do until you’re thrown in.”
A former England rugby union international and code changer has backed the decision to include Joseph Sua’ali’i in the Australian squad to play England on Saturday
Joe Schmidt (left) has opted to draft the former Sydney Roosters star at number 13 for the clash
Some concerns have been raised in recent weeks about the decision to include Sua’ali’i in the Australian squad to face England, especially given his lack of experience playing rugby at the highest level.
Sua’ali’i had previously played Union while at school but has not yet appeared professionally in the code.
“If you’re good enough, bring him in and see,” Robinson added. “Why don’t they put him in there while they’re going through this time of development and discovery and see what he can do? There’s no point in waiting until next year.’
“Sometimes people can put too much emphasis on you switching over and focusing on the things you’re not used to, whereas the things I did well, when I came in, most people couldn’t do what I did. ‘ he said.
‘So you have to remain who you are and what you are. There will be times when he gets caught, as I have done countless times in my career.
“But then there are also certain things he does that very few people can do, so I would say… stick to what you’re good at. He clearly has a lot of talent.’
Schmidt, meanwhile, has also allayed concerns about Sua’ali’i’s lack of experience in the union.
Jason Robinson, who also moved to Union from the league, backed the decision
Robinson said at the launch of the new Lions shirt: ‘There’s no point in waiting until next year’
Sua’ali’i has impressed his coaches and teammates since joining the Wallabies
The 21-year-old was poached by Rugby Australia earlier this year, signing a three-year contract reportedly worth around $5 million.
The Australian coach said: ‘In an effort to build depth and an attempt to stabilize the group we have, we see it more as an opportunity than a risk and he has been excellent which gives us the confidence not to to wait another week or two. or even next year.’
Schmidt also explained that with Hunter Paisami and Samu Kerevi both injured, picking Sua’ali’i was the logical decision.
“We thought especially because Hunter Paisani suffered an injury and Samu Kerevi arrived late that this was the best combination for us and a very good opportunity,” Schmidt told reporters.
“I think when a player starts he gets a little more training time with the team. So getting those reps with the team I think is a benefit when you’re trying to deploy someone for the first time.”