Joseph Suaalii has capped a whirlwind first year in rugby by being named Rugby Australia’s Rookie of the Year, but the 22-year-old insists individual awards come second to team success.
Suaalii’s move from the NRL to rugby was one of the most talked-about switches in Australian sport. After signing with Rugby Australia in 2023, he made his Wallabies debut 19 months later and immediately delivered, earning Player of the Match in a thrilling 42–37 victory over England last November.
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That performance announced his arrival in the 15-man game, and he quickly backed it up with standout outings against Wales, Scotland and Ireland. This year, Suaalii made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Waratahs, finishing the season as the competition’s Team of the Year fullback – ahead of established stars Will Jordan and Tom Wright.
While SVNS stars Aden Ekanayake and Mackenzie Davis, along with Wallaroos winger Waiaria Ellis, were also finalists for Rookie of the Year, it was Suaalii’s name that was read out at the Rugby Australia Awards.
“I don’t play the game for awards. I only play to win as a team. That’s how I see it,” Suaalii told RugbyPass and Rugby.com.au.
“Winning this award is a reflection of the team helping me… anything I do is just for the team.”
Suaalii hasn’t missed a Test since his debut, featuring prominently under Joe Schmidt and starting all five of Australia’s matches this year – including a famous comeback win over the Springboks at Ellis Park. He scored three tries in two Tests against Los Pumas, before starring in both Bledisloe Cup clashes against the All Blacks.
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The Wallabies are now in Japan preparing to face the Brave Blossoms, before a demanding European tour that includes Tests against England, Italy, Ireland and France.
For Suaalii, the biggest adjustment has been adapting to the global grind of international rugby.
“Biggest challenge? Probably just getting used to the travel,” he admitted.
“In league you don’t really travel across the world and train there. For myself, that’s probably been the biggest challenge – but it’s exciting too, so always up for a challenge.”
Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images
The post Big Su eyes rampant 2026 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Joseph Suaalii has capped a whirlwind first year in rugby by being named Rugby Australia’s Rookie of the Year, but the 22-year-old insists individual awards come second to team success.
The post Big Su eyes rampant 2026 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
