Big-money rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii has been named in Australia’s 34-man squad to travel to the northern hemisphere next month.
The 21-year-old former Sydney Roosters wing or centre is yet to play a professional rugby union game after a switch from league reportedly worth more than 5m Australian dollars (£2.6m).
Uncapped former Leicester wing Harry Potter, now with Western Force, has also been named in Joe Schmidt’s squad for their tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Schmidt said that Suaalii – who he will use at centre, wing or full-back – needed to be brought in now in preparation for Australia’s home series against the British and Irish Lions next year.
“I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t conscious of the big deal that he’s on and the profile that he has, because you can’t not be aware of that,” said Schmidt.
“As much as we think maybe it might have been better to come through [the second string Australia XV], part…
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