EXCLUSIVE: Former coach backs Joseph Suaalii to be 'greatest convert' rugby has seen

Joseph Suaalii's former coach is tipping the Wallaby-in-waiting to reach extraordinary heights in his new code.

"I've got no doubt, no doubt whatsoever he'll be the greatest league convert to union," Matt Parish told Wide World of Sports.

"And I'm not the sort of person that exaggerates."

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Parish was doing cartwheels in 2022 when a then teenaged Suaalii turned down Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga to instead commit to his Samoa squad for the Rugby League World Cup in England.

Despite his youth, Suaalii immediately became a respected leader in a star-studded squad that made a historic run to the final against champions Australia.

Parish, the former Balmain Tigers centre, knows rugby well.

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He grew up playing juniors for Eastwood alongside Wallabies-to-be Brett Papworth and Marty Roebuck.

"So I know union well and I think they got him cheap."

They, of course, are Rugby Australia, who under previous chairman Hamish McLennan went all-in on Suaalii with a monster contract.

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The Sydney Morning Herald reported the deal includes a player option that could boost Suaalii's bank account by more than $8 million over five years.

After helping the Sydney Roosters to the NRL preliminary finals, Suaalii is expected to tour Europe with either the Wallabies or an Australia XV next month.

Parish's bold best ever convert claim would place him above luminaries Brad Thorn, Sonny Bill Williams, Jason Robinson, Israel Folau, Lote Tuqiri, Semi Radradra and Marika Koroibete.

"I know this is a big statement and this isn't taking anything away from the other great players that have gone from league to union," Parish said.

"But he's an exceptional talent and one of the best young human beings I've ever been associated with.

"They're getting a great player whose best football's in front of him, has great character and his preparation is second to none. And I've got no doubt that his habits and what he does away from the field will only rub off on the other guys in that Wallabies squad.

"They should be very excited about the player they're going to get."

Parish first laid eyes on Suaalii as a 16-year-old in a NSW City vs Country game.

He was outstanding at fullback but, through his NSWRL development work, Parish has seen many similar crack teens fail to kick on.

"He's always been a big, athletic young man and you could tell he would be something special," he said.

"But you see so many good kids at that age and a lot of them don't fulfill the ability that they've got.

"Joseph is both one of the most talented and hard working players I've seen. Off the field, his attention to detail and training is phenomenal."

Suaalii's quiet maturity and confidence is also rare.

He was the youngest player in Parish's World Cup squad but the likes of Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo all gravitated to their new teen sensation.

"He was one of our leaders. Unbelievable," Parish said.

"He does a lot of journalling, a lot of meditation. In our captain's run, everyone would go and do their own thing for the last 10 or 15 minutes.

"He used to go and just sit on the goal posts and just meditate and visualise what he was going to do the next day.

"By the end of the tournament, all the players were doing it. Such was the impact he had on the group.

"They gave up many tens of thousands of dollars to play for Samoa in that World Cup. Joseph was going to get picked for Australia, without a doubt.

"I was actually in Samoa when he rang me to tell me 'I'm going to play for Samoa'. You could hear me scream from Australia when he told me that.

"And his performances were incredible."

Parish was also wowed by Suaalii's toughness and appetite for contact.

He picked him at fullback to give him the best opportunity to influence games and also maximise his extreme aerial talents.

Parish said the Folau comparison was a strong and accurate one.

"The scary thing is he's 21, like, how's he going to be at 24 or 25?

"He's only going to get better and better. He's very intelligent and that comes from all the hard work that he does off the field. Not only does he get himself right physically, he gets himself right mentally too."

Suaalii was a schoolboy rugby star at The King's School in Sydney and helped Australia's under-18 team beat New Zealand Schools in 2019.

Parish was well aware of his passion for rugby and was therefore disappointed rather than surprised when the deal was announced in March last year.

"Just because I thought he's got plenty to do in this game yet," he said.

"But you can see the world playing rugby where in league you probably can't.

"There's a lot of good opportunities in rugby and I'll certainly be following his career because he's such a great young man."

Parish said Suaalii could play anywhere from 12-15 because of his well rounded skill set and ability to kick the ball accurately and powerfully.

He would be staggered if Suaalii didn't make his Test debut on a four-match tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland that kicks off with a clash against England in London on November 10 (AEDT).

"They'd be crazy not to take him," Parish said.

"I've got no doubt he'd be starting to prepare himself and getting his skill set ready to do that.

"If they take him on that Spring Tour, he'll play Test matches."