Wallabies Recruit Rugby League Star Sua’ali’i in Blockbuster Cross-Code Switch
In a stunning cross-code transfer, the Wallabies have secured the services of rising rugby league superstar Joseph Sua’ali’i on a multi-million-dollar deal. The 21-year-old outside back, who has been making waves in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters, has joined the Australian national rugby union team ahead of their upcoming autumn internationals.
The signing was orchestrated during a casual BBQ overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, where Sua’ali’i met with then-Australia coach Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan. Impressed by the young talent’s immense potential, the pair moved swiftly to convince him to make the switch from league to union, ultimately securing a lucrative contract worth close to $5 million.
Sua’ali’i, who honed his skills playing rugby union in school, has been tipped as a potential game-changer for the Wallabies. With his exceptional athleticism, power, and versatility to play across the backline, the 6ft 5in prospect is expected to make an immediate impact on the international stage.
“Eddie thought he was a superstar,” McLennan revealed. “We knew we had to act quickly to secure his signature before any other suitors came calling.”
The cross-code switch marks the latest in a long line of high-profile defections from rugby league to union in Australia, with the likes of Israel Folau, Lote Tuqiri, and Wendell Sailor previously making the transition.
Sua’ali’i’s arrival has generated significant buzz in the Australian rugby landscape, with many hailing him as a “once-in-a-generation” talent. The youngster could now be in line to make his Wallabies debut against England at Twickenham this weekend, as the national team seeks to bolster its ranks ahead of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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