Just like Israel Folau had done 12 years ago, Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii hopes to light up the British & Irish Lions series starting at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
He says it was this prospect that inspired him to switch from rugby league last year.
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The 21-year-old wing, who was Man of the Match on debut for the Wallabies against England at Twickenham in November, said that playing against the Lions would eclipse his achievement of playing in rugby league’s fierce State of Origin rivalry.
“Yeah, that was probably the biggest carrot for myself,” he told the media ahead of Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane.
“These are the biggest games, they happen only every 12 years, so that was probably the biggest thing coming across.”
Suaalii said Folau – another rugby league convert who scored two tries in that opening Test at Suncorp in 2013 – is a real inspiration to him.
“I was nine. In my house, all the young kids sitting on the floor, and I just remember being real close to the TV,” he said.
“I remember watching (Folau), Kurtley Beale, all these different players do their thing in the game and it sparked something for myself,” he added.
“So to be a part of this squad, it’s amazing.”
Suaalii also played down talk of a grudge re-match with Lions centre Sione Tuipulotu, after a fiery exchange during the Wallabies’ Test against Scotland last year.
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The pair had to be separated after a big collision left Suaalii injured and Tuipulotu chirping.
Suaalii jumped back to his feet and said: “I will see you next time,” before heading off for treatment.
“I feel like there’s been a lot of talk around that moment but at the end of the day it’s just a game of footy,” Suaalii said.
“I’m a big believer that whatever is said on the field stays on the field.
“I’m not going to speak on it. Obviously fans want to see a rivalry and all that but, at the end of the day, it’s a team sport and I’m just trying to do the best for the team.”
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
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