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The Guardian
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Returning Suaalii spells salvation for Wallabies as Lions challenge looms
Offloads and intercepts. Tap-backs and flying leaps. Try-saving tackles and miracle balls. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's Wallabies debut last November was a revelation. Six weeks before, the 21-year-old had been playing rugby league, waiting to light the fuse on the richest contract in Australian rugby history. Now he was at Twickenham, the game's spiritual home, putting England to the sword – and his name up in lights. Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper hailed the man-of-the-match showing as 'sheer talent … X factor you can't train: the ability to create a try out of absolutely nothing'. Teammate Tom Wright, who scored that day from a Suaalii basketball pass, more recently marvelled at the kid's skills. 'His talent is probably second to none in the group,' he said. 'Pair that with his work ethic, it's impressive.' Best of all, said Wright, Suaalii unifies and inspires. 'Joseph gets the most out of all of us.' Suaalii's broad shoulders carry the hopes of a nation this winter as Australia and its home provinces take on the British & Irish Lions across three Tests and six tour games. The Wallabies are underdogs. Yes, they beat England and Wales but Scotland punished their youth and Ireland outlasted them to win 22-19. Yet with Suaalii, and a new wave of players by his side, locals are quietly optimistic. Two-time World Cup winning centre Tim Horan talks of Suaalii as 'athlete first, footy player second'. Australia's football landscape is famously fierce with four codes duelling for talent. 'He could play wing, fullback or centre in the Wallaby backline and always be outstanding,' Horan says. 'Joseph is so important to our chances. He's got size, height, speed, gifts in the air and incredible power across the park.' Yet those virtues make Suaalii a target for the Lions' monster-sized midfield. 'If Joseph plays 13 as expected, he'll have the hardest job on the field,' Horan says. 'That channel is the toughest to defend and he'll have beasts like Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu charging at him. If the Lions take a page from Ireland's playbook and run three decoy runners out the back, he'll have a split second to go one of three ways: plant his heels, jam in or stay wide. If he gets it wrong, Australia's in trouble.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Suaalii hasn't got much wrong so far. In four Tests he has become a Wallaby weapon. The poaching of the quiet colossus from the NRL in 2023 was hailed by rugby as the return of a prodigal son. But like most kids in the hybrid Sydney sports landscape, Penrith-born Suaalii played a bit of everything. Growing up the eldest son of Samoan immigrants and Cambodian refugees, Suaalii represented NSW in league, AFL and basketball as well as rugby, and broke a state high jump record, before he was 13. That diverse foundation of skills made his signature hot property. At 16, South Sydney signed Suaalii on a $2.5m four-year deal, reportedly the richest contract ever offered to a teenager in the history of either code. The Rabbitohs' plan was for Suaalii to debut in 2022 at 18, the NRL age cap at the time. Until then, they honed his skills, bringing in former AFL star Michael O'Loughlin to school him under the high ball, an aerial mastery he later put to good use against England in winning four kickoffs. Alas, before union poached Suaalii from league, the Rabbitohs' arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters poached him first, appealing against the age cap to allow an NRL debut at 17. From 2021-23, the teenager packed on muscle, piling 110kg on to a 196 cm frame, and honing the defence that will now be crucial against the Lions. 'He tackles like a leaguie, leaps like a basketballer and marks like an AFL player,' Horan says. Whether rugby got him for $5m over three seasons or $8m for five years, it looks to be a bargain. For a code looking for a hero to haul it out of debt and arrest 20 years of sickly crowds and TV ratings, Suaalii spells salvation. Here is a force that helped drive 500,000 ticket sales for this Lions tour, a face to promote a 2027 home World Cup, a star to restore lustre to the tarnished old gold of the Wallabies brand. The player known as 'The Ferrari' has been idle since mid-May after breaking his jaw in Super Rugby but will likely play Fiji on 6 July before facing off with the Lions in the first Test on 19 July. Apparently he spent his time on the sidelines living like a monk, journaling in the park and meditating daily, songwriting for a second album with his rap group DreamYourz, while being fed Samoan delicacies by his mum and six younger sisters. 'Joseph is only 21 yet that demeanour, the measured and calm way he approaches the game and deals with celebrity and the psychology of winning, is so mature,' Horan says. 'On paper Australia doesn't have the depth the Lions do and can't match their brute force. 'Crash ball' won't work this time. The Wallabies need pace, agility and deception with a 'no backward step' mentality. Joseph Suaalii embodies all that.'
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Lions rugby star returns to Australia in time for 2025 tournament
British & Irish Lions sports star has returned Down Under to kick off the upcoming 2025 tournament. George North has returned to Australia just in time for the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour, which commences in Perth on 28 June. The Rugby union player landed earlier this week to get locals revved up ahead of the tournament. The star started his adventure on the continent by catching up with Wallabies great, Tim Horan, in Brisbane. Together, they enjoyed a picturesque tour of Queensland's capital by bike and kayak, followed by some friendly banter over a pint at Felons Brewery. He then finished off his day striking the Warrior Two yoga pose, pint in hand, during a beer yoga session. The sports legend then jetted off to Perth for a photo shoot on Leighton Beach – donning his beloved red and white colours while posing with a surfboard. Making the most of his time far away from home, North also took the opportunity for a quick zipline near the Optus Stadium at the Matagarup Zip+Climb experience, before toasting to his Aussie adventure at Faber Vineyard in Perth's Swan Valley wine region. After the fun and games, he headed off to meet fans ahead at the Optus Stadium, which will host the first game of the tournament on Friday. "I think the 2025 Tour promises big moments, like everyone at home I'll be backing the Lions to go all the way," said the rugby star. 'With the Tour bringing so many Lions fans down to Australia, it felt like the perfect time to experience the country in a different way – not as a player, but as a traveller,' he added. "Australia's really got so much to offer, [so] if you're only sticking to the stadiums, you're missing some of the best bits. To any Brits thinking about making the trip, just go for it. Australia's epic." Andrew Boxall, regional general manager for Tourism Australia in the UK & Northern Europe added: "We're delighted to be celebrating the British & Irish Lions Tour Down Under this month, and what an incredible way to do so with Lions legend George North. "It's been a pleasure to show George the sights of Brisbane and Perth. We're encouraging all Lions fans heading to Australia to enjoy all there is to do and see in Australia beyond the rugby pitch."
The Age
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Did Schmidt get it right with Wallabies squad?
Did Joe Schmidt get it right with the first Wallabies squad of 2025? Tim Horan and Justin Harrison unpack the big talking points on Rugby Heaven. Loading
Sydney Morning Herald
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Did Schmidt get it right with Wallabies squad?
Did Joe Schmidt get it right with the first Wallabies squad of 2025? Tim Horan and Justin Harrison unpack the big talking points on Rugby Heaven. Loading
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Nathan Cleary's dad opens up on speculation his superstar son could make a sensational cross-code switch to be closer to Mary Fowler
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has broken his silence on mounting speculation that his son Nathan could one day leave rugby league behind to be closer to his partner, Matildas star Mary Fowler. The Penrith coach addressed rumours linking Nathan with a cross-code switch to rugby union or a move overseas, triggered in part by recent commentary from dual-code legend Tim Horan. Horan floated the idea last week on Stan Sport 's Rugby Heaven, suggesting the Penrith and NSW Blues playmaker could take up the No.10 jersey in the 15-man game. With Fowler based in England playing for Manchester City, the idea of Cleary heading abroad has added fuel to the fire. But when asked about it ahead of Penrith's clash with the Wests Tigers, Ivan Cleary was clear. 'Nathan's here for another two years, so that's where he's going to be,' he told reporters. 'Nath's a pretty open-minded kid but that's down the track maybe, who knows?' The veteran coach said his son wasn't the type to be bothered by media talk. 'He doesn't read too much media, so I don't think he'd be too fussed,' he added. Asked if Nathan could play No.10 in rugby union, Ivan responded with a grin. 'I'm sure he could play OK. I don't think he's ever played [rugby union],' he said. 'He'd just have to avoid all the rucks, just kick and goal kick and he'd go all right.' The light-hearted comment came amid serious speculation around Nathan's future in rugby league. Some pundits, including Mark 'Spudd' Carroll, believe Cleary has nothing left to prove in the NRL. Carroll said on 2GB: 'It'd be a no-brainer. He'd make defence look like traffic cones.' Ivan, however, pushed back on the idea his son was seeking a new challenge. 'I don't think so at all, not that I've ever spoken to him about it,' he said. 'Just watching him play every week, he's always trying to get better and loves what he's doing.' 'There's always a new challenge around the corner.' Nathan himself hasn't confirmed any plans to leave Penrith, but he has been open-minded about the future. 'I'm not against it,' he said recently when asked about playing overseas. 'I think just being able to experience different cultures and different experiences is something I enjoy doing.' That openness has only intensified rumours of a future move to be closer to Fowler. Their relationship began in August 2023 after meeting at an Adidas event and has since flourished. Despite the distance, both have spoken about how they've made it work. Mary Fowler said: 'The hardest part of being in long distance is when something bad does happen you're not able to be there with the person – I think we both really hate that.' 'I think it helped that we started off as long distance... that made the transition easier.' Nathan added: 'Sometimes you just get home and you want a little cuddle.' 'But I think it's helped us connect on more than just a physical level. 'She makes me happy, and that definitely helps.' The couple has publicly discussed their future, with Fowler expressing hopes of one day adopting children and living on a farm. For now, though, Cleary remains focused on his current chapter with the Panthers.
