During his time at the New South Wales Blues camp, All Black Richie Mo’unga had the opportunity to spend some time with the Wallabies’ latest star recruit, Joseph Sua’ali’i. Despite being sidelined due to a ban, Mo’unga had the chance to connect with the up-and-coming talent.
Sua’ali’i, who is set to join the Waratahs, has been with the Blues Origin team during the series, marking his final season in rugby league before making the highly anticipated switch. It is expected that he will make his debut with the Wallabies on the end-of-year tour. Additionally, the British & Irish Lions are likely to come across the towering 6’5 athlete when they tour in a year’s time.
Mo’unga provided his assessment of Sua’ali’i, highlighting his exceptional one-on-one abilities on the field. According to Mo’unga, Sua’ali’i possesses a powerful running game, along with impressive skill and vision. However, Mo’unga also acknowledged areas in which Sua’ali’i would need to improve, particularly in terms of engaging with rucks and refining his kicking skills.
In spite of these areas for development, Mo’unga expressed optimism about Sua’ali’i’s potential, emphasising his youth, excitement, and willingness to learn. He firmly believes that the sky’s the limit for Sua’ali’i in the world of union.
Rugby Australia’s investment in Sua’ali’i is significant, as the organisation has agreed to a substantial three-year contract with the young talent. This move signifies a long-term commitment to nurturing Sua’ali’i’s talent and integrating him into the Wallabies’ squad.
Looking ahead, Mo’unga expressed his desire to return to the All Blacks once his Toshiba deal expires. If all goes as planned, he could potentially be back in New Zealand by 2027, which coincides with the final year of Sua’ali’i’s contract and the Rugby World Cup.
In a separate event, All Black second-rower Brodie Retallick shared insights on the latest episode of “Walk the Talk,” discussing various topics including life in Japan, the upcoming RWC 2023, and the future of All Black rugby. This valuable discussion serves as a testament to the ongoing commitment to excellence within the rugby community.
The growing excitement surrounding Sua’ali’i’s transition to professional union and the positive appraisal from seasoned players like Mo’unga and Retallick reflect a promising future for the sport. As rugby enthusiasts, we eagerly anticipate witnessing the evolution of Joseph Sua’ali’i as he embarks on this new chapter in his athletic career.