Eddie Jones has landed his first major coup as returning Wallabies head coach, with reports Sydney Roosters superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will sign with Rugby Australia.
According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, Suaalii has committed to a code switch when his current deal with the Roosters expires at the end of 2024. He inked a new one-year extension earlier this month, suggesting he was eager to keep his options open.
His agent Issac Moses is reportedly in negotiations with RA chairman Hamish McLennan regarding a contract that would make him available for the Wallabies against British and Irish Lions in 2025. Australia will host the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
After agreeing in January to a five-year deal to replace Dave Rennie as head coach, Jones was vocal about his intentions to target NRL players and Suaalii would be the first notch in that belt.
The details of the contract are yet to be determined, although Daily Telegraph says the "huge money" on offer is beyond what other NRL clubs could match.
Suaalii had his sights set on playing fullback for the Roosters, until James Tedesco's recent re-signing dealt a blow to those ambitions.
The 19-year-old grew up playing club rugby league, before balancing the code with his rugby union duties at the King's School.
He's poised to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Israel Folau, Sonny Bill Williams and Lote Tuqiri, who all made successful transitions from the NRL to the 15-man code at international level.
