Rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii, English-born Harry Potter in Australia squad for Autumn Nations Series
Updated 22/10/2024 at 08:50 GMT+1
Former Leicester wing Harry Potter, big name rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii and Tane Edmed have all been named in the Australia squad for the Autumn Nations Series. Joe Schmidt’s side open their northern hemisphere tour against Twickenham next month, before matches against Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Every match will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Kay challenges England’s Lawrence to ‘take next step’ during Autumn Nations Series
Video credit: TNT Sports
High-profile rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii has been thrown straight in at the deep end after he was named in the Australia squad for the Autumn Nations Series in the UK and Ireland.
The 21-year-old has been tipped to match the likes of Sonny Bill Williams in switching codes, but he is yet to play a senior match in union, despite growing up playing that code of the sport before moving into professional rugby league.
English-born former Leicester wing Harry Potter, who is now at Western Force, is also involved in the 34-man squad, with New South Wales Waratahs fly-half Tane Edmed the third uncapped player included.
La Rochelle’s Will Skelton, who captained the Wallabies before he was injured at last year’s Rugby World Cup, is recalled for the first time this year, while Japan-based centre Samu Kerevi also makes a return.
Australia are not in the best form ahead of flying to London, having lost their last three matches, including a 67-27 thrashing by Argentina. Joe Schmidt’s side begin their tour against England on November 9, ahead of trips to Wales, Scotland and Ireland before November is out.
It is Suaalii’s inclusion which has attracted the most attention in Australia, as he is yet to play for the Waratahs, having left NRL side Sydney Roosters. His deal is reported to be worth over £2.5m over three years, but Schmidt says this is the right time to see what he can do.
"Part of it is that we play the Lions next (year)," said the Australia head coach.
"So if he doesn't debut on this tour, then there's very little window - there may be one opportunity to play before the Lions next year - and that would be it. So for us, yeah, we feel a little bit of pressure to be able to fast track him.
"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. But what our responsibility is, is to try to help him become the best rugby player and contributor to the team that he can be."
Potter may have a chance to make his debut in the country of his birth, having moved to Australia at the age of 10. The 26-year-old played three seasons for Leicester before heading back Down Under with Western Force last year.
Kerevi and Skelton will be unavailable for the final match of the tour in Dublin, as it falls outside of the international window and neither player is contracted to a team in Australia.
Skelton returns after missing the recent Tests because of commitments to La Rochelle, but Schmidt says he is desperate to be involved again
"He's keen as mustard," said Schmidt. "He didn't need any convincing to play for the Wallabies. He's a really positive character and he has real gravitas in the group."
australia squad
Forwards: Matt Faessler, Brandon Paenga Amosa, Billy Pollard, Tom Robertson, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Angus Bell, Isaac Kailea, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Carlo Tizzano, Sere Uru, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Harry Wilson.
Backs: Nic White, Jake Gordon, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Tane Edmed, Ben Donaldson, Samu Kerevi, Joseph Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch.
Which Autumn Nations Series matches are on TNT Sports?
In April, it was announced that TNT Sports would broadcast every game of this year's Autumn Nations Series. Below is the full list of fixtures and kick-off times BST.
WEEK 1
November 2
- England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Scotland v Fiji, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
WEEK 2
November 8
- Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 9
- England v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, kick-off: 17:40
- France v Japan, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 10
- Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 3
November 15
- Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 16
- Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- England v South Africa, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- France v New Zealand, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 17
- Italy v Georgia, TBC, kick-off: 13:40
- Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 4
November 22
- France v Argentina, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 23
- Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 24
- Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- England v Japan, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 5
November 30
- Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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