Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is eager to see where incoming star Joseph Suaalii will fit into his plans as he prepares for the Spring Tour.
The incoming Waratah played his last game of NRL on the weekend for the Sydney Roosters before taking up a three year deal with Rugby Union.
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Suaalii is widely expected to join the squad for the end-of-year tour, with the 21-year-old stating his intentions at the start of the month.
Wallabies coach Schmidt was waiting to see when the former Australian Schoolboys star would be available before figuring out his plans.
“I haven’t spoken to him directly yet because I wanted to leave him to play for the Roosters. Obviously, they played last night and were knocked out by the Melbourne Storm so now we will potentially have a conversation," Schmidt said after their Bledisloe Cup defeat
“We’ve just got to wait for the powers that be to deem that he’s available to us and then post that he’ll be a guy that we’ll have a conversation with.
“He’s obviously coming across to rugby and we’d be pretty happy to have him...he goal kicks very well”
“It’s super exciting,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson added.
“Since he’s signed I’ve probably watched him a bit more than I did before. He’s a terrific footballer and I think he’ll add a lot of value to Australian rugby.”
However, Schmidt backed his backline depth after a physical 33-13 defeat to the All Blacks.
I felt Noah [Lolesio] kick well tonight…Hunter Paisami worked his butt off today,” Schmidt said.
“Lenny Ikitau did some great stuff and Dylan Pietsch came in for his first start and he did really well. He was cramping in both calves and he still played really well I felt.
“We’re probably more solid than spectacular and spectacular would be nice.
“I’ve got huge admiration for the guys who went out there and I thought (they) confronted it really well.”
The Wallabies will take the chance to regroup before heading to Europe for a shot at the Grand Slam, starting with England on November 10.
