Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii reveals relationship with ‘great mentor’ Israel Folau as he tackles Wallabies backlash head-on
Rugby Australia’s 5 million dollar recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has revealed that former Wallabies star Israel Folau is an idol and inspiration of his.
Like Folau, Suaalii makes the switch from league to union ahead of a British and Irish Lions series and will now look to make his Test debut for the Wallabies during the Autumn Nations Series.
Speaking at the launch of the new Wallabies jersey that will be worn during the 2025 Lions series, Suaalii said that he was relishing the challenge of making the switch to the 15-aside game and revealed that he has been in contact with Folau to get advice.
“I really looked up to Folau”
Folau is a controversial figure in Australian rugby after he had his contract terminated in 2019 after posting on Instagram that ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals and adulterers.
“I met Israel when I was 14, I really looked up to him when I was younger,” the code hopper said.
“As a young kid, I really wanted to ask a lot of questions – I think that’s a real strength of mine, learning – and Israel was someone I could look up to and ask questions to.
“Every now and then, I do catch up with him and he is a great mentor in my life.”
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When asked what the best advice Folau had given him, Suaalii added: “Izzy is a man that doesn’t speak a lot but he is a man that is always about his actions – from what I have picked up.
“He is a great man, first of all, and that’s the biggest thing I’ve learnt from him is being a great man outside of footy.”
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The pressure of making the switch and criticism
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has said that the 21-year-old is likely to make his Test debut during the November internationals, with Australia tackling England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
This despite the former league star having not played a professional union match yet, a move that has been highly criticised.
Having debuted in the NRL as a 17-year-old – a rare feat – Suaalii is used to the weight of expectation and the criticism that comes with it and he explained that he is not overly bothered by the backlash.
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He also revealed that his stint in the Wallabies camp back in 2013, when he was still a teenager, sparked the dream for him to represent Australia in union.
“Coming in as a 17-year-old into the NRL, I feel like I’ve learnt a lot and I was talked a lot about as a kid but it feels no different now,” he said.
“I’ve grown a lot, I’m 21 years old, and I still act like a kid but I’ve grown into a man, so I’ve learnt a lot from previous experiences and at the end of the day it’s just a game of footy that I play.
“Everyone has their opinion, which is respected but I’m on my own path.
“I’m doing my own path and dreaming what I want to dream, I’m just living the life I want to live.
“I don’t see it as an expectation, more like a privilege.
“As a kid, I went into the camp and met Kurtley Beale, Allan Alaalatoa, and James Slipper was there too; it’s cool to be in the position now to wear the Wallabies jersey and hopefully inspire young kids.”
He added: “In 2013 I watched the Lions tour, Israel Folau making his Test debut and Kurtley Beale with the kick to win and he slipped. Those memories of seeing it on the TV and watching that, it has always been such a dream of mine to put the Wallabies jersey on, especially with this spring tour coming up and the Lions tour.”
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