A Wallabies win over England at Twickenham and Joseph Suallii’s promising debut has optimistic Aussie rugby fans dreaming of a series win over the British and Irish Lions next year.
Given his starting debut by coach Joe Schmidt, Suaalii impressed on debut for the Wallabies, looking right at home in the centres alongside Len Ikitau, who threw the flick pass to Max Jorgensen for the matchwinning try in the 84th minute.
There is a long way to go in the Spring Tour, with games to come against Wales, Scotland and Ireland, but the dream of a first grand slam sweep since 1984 is alive for now.
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Speaking before Suallii’s debut, Rugby Australia’s chief commercial officer James Durbin was confident the 21-year-old would have an impact in the 15-man code.
“When he gets on the pitch I have absolutely no doubt he’ll make a significant impact,” Durbin told news.com.au at the unveiling of the Lions’ Canterbury jersey ahead of the 2025 series.
“He’s an incredible talent, he played a lot of schoolboy rugby so he knows the game, has a good head for the game.
“We’ve seen what he can do the last couple of years in rugby league, I have no doubt he can do a similar thing for rugby union.
“Really exciting opportunity for him if he gets a game, which I’m sure he will get some time on this tour and then with the Waratahs come February in Super Rugby season, will be really exciting.”
Suaalii is contracted with Rugby Australia (RA) until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be held on home soil for the first time since 2003.
The home series against the British and Irish Lions and the 2027 World Cup represents a lucrative opportunity for RA to turn a profit again after posting a $9.2 million deficit in 2023.
The governing body set up a $80m loan facility last year to be “a short-term bridge to RA’s major revenue events on the horizon in the 2025 British & 스포츠토토사이트 Irish Lions Tour and home Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029”.
The Wallabies’ jersey for the 2025 Lions series was revealed last month, featuring a dark green colour in a throwback to jerseys from the 1990s and early 2000s.
Israel Folau debuted for the Wallabies in 2013 against the Lions and was player of the match in the series opener in Melbourne with two tries. The Wallabies lost that series 2-1.
Suaalii has leaned on Folau for advice as he looks to follow in his footsteps of the cross-code stars like the former fullback and Sonny Billy Williams.
Australia haven’t won a series against the Lions since 2001 when the Wallabies were last at the peak of their powers.
Tickets for the three Wallabies vs Lions matches in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are virtually sold out already.