Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii Set for Australia Debut Against England

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, a convert from rugby league, is scheduled to make his professional rugby union debut, starting in the centres for Australia against England. The match is set for Saturday, 9 November, with a 15:10 GMT kick-off at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium as part of the Autumn Nations Series. Coverage will be available via live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, alongside live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. The 21-year-old, who previously played as a wing or centre for the Sydney Roosters, recently transitioned from league. His move was part of a three-year agreement reportedly valued at A$5.35m (£2.7m). Suaalii, who has experience in both rugby codes from his youth, last participated in rugby union for the Australian Schoolboys in 2019. Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt expressed his confidence in Suaalii, stating: “The thing that gives me confidence around Joseph is how well he prepares himself. He’s a very professional young man and hopefully he can hit the ground running in a couple of days’ time. Everything’s a risk, but I would challenge that with ‘everything’s an opportunity’, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for a young man who’s really excited about getting the chance. There are four test matches left this year before we embark on a massive Lions’ tour next year. So if not now, when? I think it makes some sense for him to play. It’s unlikely it’ll go perfectly, but it will be a benchmark that he can build from.” In the midfield, Suaalii will play alongside Len Ikitau, who is named to start at number 12. This selection comes after regular starting inside centre Hunter Paisami was withdrawn from the Wallabies’ autumn tour due to a calf injury. Suaalii’s presence marks the sole alteration to the Wallabies’ starting XV, which previously suffered a 33-13 defeat against New Zealand in September. Harry Wilson will captain the team from number eight, with Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini completing the back row. Taniela Tupou is included in an experienced front row, and Noah Lolesio will direct play at fly-half. Notably absent from the matchday squad are former Saracens lock Will Skelton and centre Samu Kerevi. Kerevi has not participated in competitive rugby since his Japanese club, Urayasu D-Rocks, concluded their season in May. Schmidt also commented on the tour, adding: “Playing in front of vocal home crowds in some of the most renowned rugby stadiums in the world is an exciting prospect, with many of the players on their first spring tour.” Under Schmidt’s leadership, Australia has experienced three consecutive losses, resulting in them finishing at the bottom of this year’s Rugby Championship standings. Australia’s most recent triumph against England occurred in 2022, which stands as their sole victory over Borthwick’s team since the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Schmidt’s squad is scheduled to compete against all the home nations during their Autumn Nations Series. They will play Wales in Cardiff next Sunday, followed by Scotland on 24 November, and conclude their series against Ireland, a team Schmidt previously coached, on 30 November. The Australian squad for the match is as follows: Australia: Wright; Kellaway, Suaalii, Ikitau, Pietsch; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (capt). Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Slipper, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Jorgensen.