Former England Rugby World Cup hero, Jason Robinson, backed the decisoin to include former NRL star Joseph Sua’ali’i in Australia’s squad to take on England on Saturday.
His comments came prior to Joe Schmidt’s squad announcement earlier today, with Sua’ali’i set to start at outside centre for the crunch match at Twickenham.
The 21-year-old was poached by Rugby Australia earlier this year, signing a three-year that is said to be worth around $5million.
The outside back, who possesses an excellent command of the high ball and can rip through defensive lines, left the Roosters earlier this year and began training with the Waratahs, notably earning the plaudits of his new team-mates and Schmidt.
He has also earned the praise of Robinson and is now set to follow the legendary England winger, who notably scored against Australia in the 2003 World Cup final, by crossing over from league to union.
‘It is a great time for him [Suaalii] because he is coming into a team that is going through challenges, so it is a good time in many ways to get in there and stake a claim for a place during the Lions series,’ Robinson said, speaking at the launch of the British and Irish Lions new jersey earlier this week.
‘You don’t know how you are going to be, until you are thrown in.’
A former England rugby union international and code-switcher has backed the decision to include Joseph Sua’ali’i in Australia’s side to face England on Saturday
Joe Schmidt (left) has opted to start the former Sydney Roosters star at No 13 for the clash
Some concerns have emerged in recent weeks over the decision to include Sua’ali’i in Australia’s squad to take on England, particularly considering his lack of experience playing top-level rugby union.
Sua’ali’i had previously played union while at School, but has not made a professional appearance in the code as yet.
‘If you are good enough, get him in and just see,’ Robinson added. ‘While they are going through this time of development and discovery, why not put him in there and see what he can do? There is no point waiting til next year.’
‘Sometimes people can put too much on the fact that you’re switching over and focus on the stuff you’re not used to, whereas actually the stuff I did well, when I came in, most people couldn’t do what I did,’ he said.
‘So you have to stay who you are and what you are. There will be times when he will get caught out, as I did numerous times over my career.
‘But then there will also be certain things he does that very few people can do, so I would say… stick to what you’re good at. He obviously has a lot of talent.’
Schmidt, meanwhile, has also allayed concerns over Sua’ali’i’s lack of experience in union.
Jason Robinson, who also crossed over to union from league, endorsed the decision
Robinson, speaking at the launch of the Lions new jersey, said: ‘There is no point waiting until next year’
Sua’ali’i has been impressing his coaches and team-mates since joining up with the Wallabies
The 21-year-old was poached by Rugby Australia earlier this year, signing a three-year that is said to be worth around $5million
The Australia coach said: ‘In an effort to build depth and an effort to stabilise the group that we have, we see it as an opportunity more than as a risk and he’s been excellent, which gives us confidence not to wait another week or two or even next year.’
Schmidt also explained that with Hunter Paisami and Samu Kerevi both injured, picking Sua’ali’i was the natural decision.
‘We just thought particularly with Hunter Paisani picking up an injury and Samu Kerevi coming in late that it was the best combination for us and a really good opportunity,’ Schmidt told reporters.
‘I think when a player starts they get a little bit more training time with the team so getting those reps with the team I think is an advantage when you’re trying to slot someone in for the first time.’
