'It's very exciting': Suaalii fast tracked into Wallabies as foreign legion returns
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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been picked for the Wallabies before playing a senior game of rugby.
The former NRL star was included in Joe Schmidt's squad of 34 players named on Tuesday for a daunting Spring Tour of the northern hemisphere.
The 21-year-old impressed at last week's training camp in Canberra and will be on the plane to London to prepare for the opening Test against England at Twickenham on November 10 (AEDT).
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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii during Wallabies training at the AIS, Getty
Suaalii played both rugby and league at school and was a star of the 2019 Australia under-18 team that also included Wallabies-to-be Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, Josh Flook and Tom Hooper.
Suaalii told Wide World of Sports on Sunday that he believed he could have "a great impact" in a "golden period" for rugby in Australia.
"To play in a Grand Slam tour, a Lions tour and a home World Cup in 2027, I feel like that's just always been so appealing to myself," he said.
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"I just see myself playing in that and having a great impact with Australian rugby and the Waratahs and yeah, it's very exciting.
"The next couple of years for rugby in Australia, I feel like it's a obviously a golden period of playing a home World Cup, the Lions tour and a Grand Slam. I feel like that just speaks for itself."
Schmidt also included overseas-based stars Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi in his squad, while axing Marika Koroibete after an indifferent Rugby Championship.
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Stephen Hoiles and Michael Hooper reflect on the Bledisloe Cup and preview the Spring Tour
The coach has also picked Waratahs five-eighth Tane Edmed after an impressive NPC stint with North Harbour in New Zealand.
Edmed has been picked ahead of Reds pivot Tom Lynagh, who has instead been included in the second string Australia XV squad that will play games against the Bristol Bears and England A.
The third uncapped player in the Wallabies squad is Force winger Harry Potter.
Liam Wright, Rob Leota and Filipo Daugunu were among a long list of injured players unavailable for selection.
"The squad has had a chance to regenerate over the last few weeks," Schmidt said.
"At the same time, it was good to catch up with a wider group of players in the two day training hubs we had in Canberra and Brisbane last week.
Coach Joe Schmidt of Australia talks to his players at Sky Stadium. Getty
"We have a relatively consistent group but will integrate a few new players on tour.
"Trying to balance opportunities for players, some recent squad members will get much needed game time with Australia XV, which also enables us to broaden our cohort of players in what will be highly competitive fixtures."
WALLABIES SQUAD
Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Isaac Kailea, Fraser McReight, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson, Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Nic White, Tom Wright
AUSTRALIA XV SQUAD
Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Josh Canham, Massimo de Lutiis, Tom Hooper, Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Tom Lambert, Lachlan Lonergan, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Ryan Smith, Darcy Swain, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Josh Flook, Darby Lancaster, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Lynagh, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Andy Muirhead, Ollie Sapsford, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Joey Walton
WALLABIES FIXTURES
Wallabies vs England, 2.10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, Twickenham, London
Wallabies vs Wales, 3.10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Wallabies vs Scotland, 12.40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies vs Ireland, 2.10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
AUSTRALIA XV FIXTURES
Australia XV vs Bristol Bears, 6.45am AEDT, Saturday November 9, Ashton Gate, Bristol
Australia XV v England A, 1am AEDT, Monday November 18, Twickenham Stoop, London
