How Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could play rugby union for Australia at the Paris Olympics – but there’s just one obstacle for the Roosters NRL star
- Suaalii signed to NRL side until end of 2024 season
- Has been speculation club could release him early
- Schoolboy union star in line to play Sevens if able
The powers that be at Rugby Australia have reportedly examined getting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to play sevens footy at the Paris Olympics if he can get out of his contract with the Roosters a year early.
The 20-year-old isn’t due to 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 let him leave early.
Were that to be the case, the door could be opened him to compete in the Rugby Sevens for Australia at the Paris Olympics.
Rugby Australia has ‘already floated the idea’, according to the Daily Telegraph, which added that the Roosters are keen to let Suaalii go to create salary cap space for new signing Dominic Young.
Playing for Australia on a truly global stage was one of the main drawcards that convinced Suaalii (pictured) to leave the Roosters – and global stages don’t get much bigger than starring at the Paris Games next year
The Roosters are reportedly keen to move Suaalii on before his contract expires at the end of next season in order to create salary cap space for new signing Dominic Young
The current Newcastle Knights star plays on the wing, where Suaalii has spent chunks of this season, including the Roosters’ win over Manly last Thursday night.
Suaalii’s pace and size at 196cm and 98kg – combined with his freakish athleticism and skill under the high ball – would make him a natural fit for the fast-paced, attack-minded brand of rugby seen in Sevens football.
Sevens first featured as 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 drawcards that convinced Suaalii to make his stunning code switch away from the NRL.
Suaalii isn’t due to feature in a Wallabies team photo with coach Eddie Jones (centre) until 2025 – but persistent speculation has him officially switching to union before then
Aside from the Olympics, two once-in-a-lifetime opportunities await him in the sport, namely the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025, and the World Cup being held in Australia in 2027.
‘I always chase my dreams and that has always been in my heart. It is going to be hard to leave the Roosters in a couple of years but my heart and my dreams always come first,’ he said in his first comments on the defection back in June.
‘The Lions tour was one of my first encounters with union. It has been something that has always been a goal [and a] home World Cup – playing in Australia – I think it speaks for itself.
‘Obviously it [money] plays a part but the World Cup, Lions tour, Bledisloe Cup – I have always seen that as a bigger factor. Traveling the world is another key factor as well.’
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