Australia coach Mal Meninga has warned Samoa fullback Joseph Suaalii he won’t be given a straightforward trip when he faces the nation he turned down within the Rugby League World Cup remaining.
The 19-year-old Sydney Roosters prodigy has been one of many stars of this event after Meninga reached out to him earlier this 12 months to gauge his curiosity in representing the Kangaroos.
Suaalii, who was solely ever more likely to be a winger or a depth choice for the Kangaroos, as a substitute selected to play for Samoa, the place he was given the possibility to play fullback.
His electrifying runs from the backfield precipitated Tonga and England numerous points on Samoa’s run to their first ever remaining, the place they are going to face Australia at Outdated Trafford on Saturday (3am Sunday AEDT).
“He’s (a weapon) however so is James Tedesco and we’ll provide you with a plan to nullify it,” Meninga stated.
“We all know he’s going to run the ball again onerous and we’ve got to deal with it.
“That is what rugby league is about, confrontation, and we’ll provide you with the best solutions.
“He is an incredible participant and he is solely 19 years of age. He has the talent set and he’ll have an enormous profession.
“We’ll do our homework on the Samoans and we’ll attempt to decide threats and weaknesses out, however as we proved (within the semi-final win) in opposition to New Zealand it isn’t fairly generally.”
Suaalii is likely one of the 14 gamers picked in Samoa’s semi-final win over England who have been born or raised in Australia.
Lots of them – together with prop Josh Papalii, captain Junior Paulo and winger Brian To’o – have been in Meninga’s consideration for this Kangaroos tour or performed State of Origin this 12 months.
Meninga has been vocal in calling for a reform of the sport’s eligibility guidelines given he had his eye on so lots of Samoa’s squad, solely to be told they’d modified their nation of alternative.
“I am fairly joyful that he (Suaalii) made the selection,” Meninga stated.
“That is why I pushed from the center of the 12 months (to know who needed to play for Australia).
“I need gamers taking part in with ardour. Clearly he needs to play for Samoa as a result of he is obtained a ardour for it.
“We (the Kangaroos) are not any much less passionate than another group.
“It has been nice for the sport for gamers to play for his or her ancestral nations. And it proves some extent, they have to the ultimate.”