Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is eager to unite with fellow Sydney Roosters players Mark Nawaqanitawase and Angus Crichton at the highest level of rugby union, despite recent uncertainty surrounding Nawaqanitawase’s international commitments. Suaalii, who has made a high-profile switch from rugby league to rugby union, spoke positively about the prospect of playing alongside two NRL premiership winners as Australia prepares for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Suaalii’s comments came prior to reports that Nawaqanitawase may opt to represent Fiji rather than the Wallabies at next year’s tournament. Nawaqanitawase, who has signed a two-year contract to play club rugby union, and Crichton, a forward also contracted to join the Waratahs, are both considered potential selections for Australia’s national team. However, final squad decisions rest with head coach Les Kiss and the selection panel.
“Gussy coming to Waratahs will be a great addition for us. He’d just be great for the environment,” Suaalii said, referring to Crichton. He also praised Nawaqanitawase’s skill set, noting the value that rugby league experience could bring to the Wallabies.
Suaalii’s own journey highlights the growing trend of players transitioning between rugby league and union, as well as representing different countries. Having debuted in the NRL as a teenager in 2021 and played for Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup the same year, Suaalii returned to rugby union in late 2024 on a reported $5 million deal. Since then, he has been a regular selection for the Wallabies, including on their European tour.
Suaalii acknowledged that competition for backline positions would be fierce with Nawaqanitawase and Crichton potentially vying for similar roles, especially as Crichton is expected to move from forward to centre in union. “The more internal competition we have, the better our team is going to be," he said. "You want your best players here. We represent and who we represent means the utmost to us every week, and so we’ve got to make sure that we’re living that every day that we are here.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s All Blacks continue to emphasize their own standards and collective legacy ahead of future international fixtures. Indigenous centre Jordie Barrett affirmed the team’s commitment to maintaining their established performance habits, even in the absence of a trophy at stake.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup set to be hosted by Australia, the integration of league acumen and union traditions remains a key focus for the Wallabies as they prepare to assemble a competitive squad. The decisions of players like Nawaqanitawase will be closely watched as national allegiances and professional ambitions intersect in the lead-up to the tournament.