How Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could play rugby union for Australia at the Paris Olympics – but there’s only one obstacle for the Roosters NRL star
How Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could play rugby union for Australia at the Paris Olympics – but there’s only one obstacle for the Roosters NRL star
- Suaalii signed with NRL until the end of the 2024 season
- There has been speculation that the club could release him sooner
- Union star schoolboy lined up to play Sevens if possible
Rugby Australia forces have reportedly investigated whether Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could play sevens footy at the Paris Olympics if he can end his contract with the Roosters a year early.
The 20-year-old will not officially defect to rugby union until his current contract expires at the end of the 2024 season, but there has been speculation that the Bondi Junction club could allow him to leave sooner.
If that were the case, the door could be opened for him to compete in the Rugby Sevens for Australia at the Paris Olympics.
Rugby Australia has “already floated the idea,” according to the Daily telegramwho added that the Roosters are keen to let Suaalii go to create space for a salary cap for new signing Dominic Young.
Playing for Australia on a truly global stage was one of the main draws that convinced Suaalii (pictured) to leave the Roosters – and world podiums don’t get much bigger than starring at next year’s Paris Games
The Roosters are reportedly keen to move Suaalii before his contract expires at the end of next season to allow for a salary cap on new signing Dominic Young.
The current Newcastle Knights star plays on the wing, where Suaalii has spent much of the season, including the Roosters’ victory over Manly last Thursday night.
Suaalii’s pace and height of 196cm and 98kg – combined with his erratic athleticism and skill under the high ball – would make him a natural fit for the fast, attacking type of rugby seen in Sevens football.
Sevens was first an Olympic sport in 2016, when Fiji won gold in the men’s competition, with Australia topping the women’s version.
The desire to play for Australia on a truly global stage was one of the big draws that convinced Suaalii to switch his stunning code from the NRL.
Suaalii won’t be seen in a photo of the Wallabies team with coach Eddie Jones (center) until 2025, but ongoing speculation sees him officially switching to the union before then
Apart from the Olympics, two unique opportunities in the sport await him, namely the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025 and the World Cup to be held in Australia in 2027.
āI always chase my dreams and it has always been in my heart. It will be hard to leave the Roosters in a few years, but my heart and my dreams always come first,” he said in his initial comments on the June departure.
āThe Lions tour was one of my first union encounters. It’s something that has always been a goal (and a) World Cup at home – playing in Australia – I think it speaks for itself.
“Obviously (money) is a factor, but the World Cup, the Lions tour, the Bledisloe Cup – I’ve always seen that as a bigger factor. Traveling the world is also an important factor.’