When Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i collided with Waratahs teammate Andrew Kellaway, he may have thought his dream was dashed.
Sua’ali’i was stretchered off after his head collided with Kellaway’s knee when attempting to make a tackle during the Waratahs’ 28-21 loss against the Queensland Reds in May.
Stan SportThe 21-year-old feared the worst when his jaw smacked into Kellaway’s knee[/caption]Endless thoughts must have raced through the 21-year-old’s mind as he was carted off the field with what was later confirmed to be a fractured jaw.
But none would have been more prevalent than the fear he may have missed out on an opportunity that knocks once every 12 years.
And it was one of the most persuasive behind Sua’ali’i’s earth-shattering decision to walk away from the sport of rugby league and join rugby union for $5million (£2.55m) in March 2023.
It is, of course, the opportunity to face the British and Irish Lions.
The best of the best from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland join forces once every four years for three Tests against the southern hemisphere’s rugby powerhouses: New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
For players from those three nations, competing against the Lions is one of the greatest experiences on offer in the sport.
The interest from supporters is reflected by the fact tickets to all three Tests are sold out within minutes of release.
It’s ultimately why Sua’ali’i simply could not turn down the opportunity to return to the sport he played as a schoolboy at The King’s School.
The capture of Sua’ali’i on a deal through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup was viewed as a major coup for Rugby Australia, even if it came at the cost of $5m.
So when he remained on the turf following the accidental collision against the Reds, Kellaway was as nervous as anyone given the stakes and finances involved.
GettySua’ali’i has not skipped a beat since returning to the sport he played as a teenager[/caption]“Nobody wants to crash the Ferrari,” Kellaway said.
“I was worried I was going to go viral as a guy who damaged Joseph before the Lions series.
“He looks all right down there. He’s doing a lot of talking, which is a good sign but obviously extremely unfortunate and just (the nature of the game).”
Sua’ali’i has since confirmed his jaw is all good and will be ‘fully fit’ in time for the Lions series.
But speaking to Australian media, the 21-year-old confirmed his mind began racing after the collision.
“It’s such an important time for myself and Australian rugby,” Sua’ali’i said.
He has four Tests to his name since making the controversial switch to rugby unionGetty“I want to be playing. So obviously it was a little bit of nerves.”
With Sua’ali’i now fit, the runway is clear for him to be involved in the Lions series.
Despite his age, Sua’ali’i has already been involved in some marquee sporting fixtures.
None more so than rugby league’s State of Origin, which pits the best of New South Wales’ players against the best of Queensland in Australia.
The matches are brutal and at times violent, with certain indiscretions that are penalised at club level given a blind eye by referees in the Origin arena.
Why? Well, ask any Australian and they’ll simply tell you that’s just how State of Origin works.
Sua’ali’i was named in the Super Rugby Team of the Year after his debut seasonGettyOrigin games draw far bigger ratings than any matches involving the Kangaroos, the Australian national rugby league team, on television and same goes with the crowds.
Put simply, the three Origin games are arguably the biggest dates on the Australian rugby league calendar.
Sua’ali’i has one Origin appearance to his name for New South Wales, also known as the Blues, but even his act of brutality could not be overlooked.
In his debut last year, which was Game One of the three-match series, Sua’ali’i lined up Queensland full-back Reece Walsh and floored him with a shoulder to the head.
Walsh lay motionless on the ground as play continued for 37 seconds before it was eventually halted and Sua’ali’i was given a red card.
It remains Sua’ali’i’s only Origin appearance.
Channel NineSua’ali’i’s Origin career has lasted all of seven minutes[/caption]Despite playing in the feverish environment that is the Origin arena, Sua’ali’i believes the Lions tour gazumps the rugby league showcase event in terms of importance and excitement.
“These (Lions games) are the biggest games of my life, I believe,” Sua’ali’i said.
“Some people play it once in your career. It happens every 12 years.
“So I believe it’s going to be one of the biggest games of my life.”
Sua’ali’i already has had a taste of what’s to come as he was involved in the Wallabies’ spring tour last year where he made his debut against England at Twickenham last November.
It was a debut to remember as he turned in a man-of-the-match performance to help the Wallabies beat England 42-37 thanks to Max Jorgensen’s 84th-minute try.
There will be great expectations on the code-hopping superstar to deliver against the LionsRugby pundits waxed lyrical about Sua’ali’i’s display, including former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper.
“This is the X-factor that you just can’t train,” former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said on Australian broadcaster Stan Sport.
“These guys just have it in spades. This is what we’ve heard so much about Sua’ali’i can bring to this Wallabies team. Just sheer talent. The ability to score a try out of absolutely nothing.
“And we’re liking what we’re seeing.”
Time will tell whether Sua’ali’i can bring that X-factor once more to help the Wallabies to just their third series win over the Lions in 10 attempts.
British and Irish Lions tour to Australia - Key Dates
June 28, Perth: Lions vs Western Force
July 2, Brisbane: Lions vs Queensland Reds
July 5, Sydney: Lions vs New South Wales Waratahs
July 9, Canberra: Lions vs ACT Brumbies
July 12, Adelaide: Lions v ANZAC XV
July 12, Brisbane: Lions v Wallabies
July 22, Melbourne: Lions v First Nations and Pasifika XV
July 26, Melbourne: Lions v Wallabies
August 2, Sydney: Lions v Wallabies
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