Oct 23,2024
Australia's big money signing from rugby league Joseph Suaalii looks set to make his Wallabies debut on their end-of-season tour after being included in Joe Schmidt's squad for Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old, who Schmidt said was likely to play in the centres or outside backs, could have been sent on the Australia XV tour of Britain but was instead named in the 34-man Wallabies squad.
"He's a kid who works hard on his game and ... we want to give him the best runway possible to get try to get involved in the Wallabies," Schmidt explained to reporters in Sydney.
"[We decided] being in an environment where we get to know him was probably most beneficial for us, and hopefully for Joseph and the team."
Schmidt said there was some pressure to get Suaalii out on the park in a green and gold shirt given Australia's next Test after the tour would be against the British and Irish Lions next year.
"We don't put guys in the squad to have them learn, certainly not for a full tour," he said. "Maybe for a week or two, but I would hope there would be some integration into game time."
Suaalii is one of three uncapped players in the squad along with out-half Tane Edmed, who has revived his Test ambitions with a spell in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship, and versatile English-born back Harry Potter.
Will Skelton, who captained Australia for part of last year's disastrous World Cup campaign, was also recalled to the squad for the first time this year.
The 32-year-old lock missed the July tests and Rugby Championship because of his commitments to his French club La Rochelle but has been in touch with Schmidt about returning to the Test arena.
"He's keen as mustard," said Schmidt. "He didn't need any convincing to play for the Wallabies. He's a really positive character and he has real gravitas in the group."
Powerhouse centre Samu Kerevi is also in line to play his first Test of the year on the tour but Schmidt said neither he nor Skelton would be available to face Ireland as the match falls outside the international window.
There was no place for Kerevi's fellow Fijian-born back Marika Koroibete, the winger who has twice won the John Eales Medal as Australia's best Test player but is playing club rugby in Japan.
"He's just having a break," said Schmidt. "He just felt he wasn't at the top of his game [in the Rugby Championship]."
Other notable absentees include injured loose forwards Rob Leota and Liam Wright as well as young flyhalf Tom Lynagh, who will tour instead with the Australia XV squad.
The Wallabies face England at Twickenham on 9 November before completing their tour with visits to Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin on the following weekends.
The 30-strong Australia XV squad, also named on Tuesday, will play English club the Bristol Bears on 8 November and England 'A' the following weekend.
Australia squad
Forwards: Matt Faessler, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Angus Bell, Isaac Kailea, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Carlo Tizzano, Sere Uru,Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Harry Wilson.
Backs: Nic White, Jake Gordon, Tate McDermott,Noah Lolesio, Tane Edmed, Ben Donaldson, Samu Kerevi, Joseph Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch.
RG Snyman (above) and Franco Mostert have been included in South Africa's squad for their autumn internationals and utility back Damian Willemse will feature for the first time this year after the trio recovered from injury.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen is also back for matches against Scotland, England at Twickenham and Wales.
Willemse, who has been playing out-half for the Stormers in recent weeks but can also cover full-back or centre, has returned from a finger injury after missing all the Springboks' ten Tests in 2024.
Snyman, Mostert and Willemse are double World Cup winners, while Esterhuizen was part of the squad that lifted the trophy in France last year and they add to the selection that romped to the Rugby Championship title this season.
Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok are the two other out-half options, with Sacha Feinberg-Mgomezulu ruled out due to a knee problem.
Locks Salmaan Moerat (knee) and Lood de Jager (shoulder), scrumhalf Faf de Klerk (thigh) and prop Steven Kitshoff were not considered due to injury.
"There’s no doubt there are several unlucky players who could easily have made the touring squad, but unfortunately we can only select 34 players," coach Rassie Erasmus said.
"Damian, Andre and RG all returned to action in the United Rugby Championship and have made a strong statement with their performances, and we all know what a work horse Franco is and the quality he adds to the team."
Erasmus has cast his net wide this season having used 49 players in 10 tests.
South Africa squad
Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Jan-Hendrik Wessels
B Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse.
