The NRL grand final between Penrith and Melbourne was confirmation that rugby league has turned into a runners’ game.
The sport now places incredible demands on players’ fitness levels with its high ball-in-play time, constant turnover of the ball, and some hot potato football and errors that are glossed over by commentators as they celebrate its entertainment value.
Rugby convert Joseph Suaalii battles the Eels’ defence for the Roosters.Credit: Getty Images
But the contest was like a game of touch footy compared to what Joseph Suaalii is about to walk into in Test rugby.
As good as Harry Grant is, if the try he scored in the first half had been registered in Test rugby, the two defenders he burst through wouldn’t be seen in the international arena any time soon.
The gap between the NRL and Test rugby has never been greater, and the task facing Suaalii in bridging that gap is so large that you’d feel sorry for him if he wasn’t being paid the GDP of a small nation.
In fact, it’s hard to see him getting significant game time for the Wallabies in the coming end-of-year tour, where Grand Slam Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland are on the menu.
The Australia XV fixtures against Bristol and England A look like good introduction opportunities for Suaalii, but inclusion in those games would rule him out of the full Tests against England and Wales, leaving Scotland and Ireland as the remaining options for a full debut.
But the latter two games aren’t the “experiment Tests” they used to be. For example, when Israel Folau made the transition to rugby in 2013, Ireland were No.9 in the world, and the Scots were 10th.
The main challenge that Suaalii faces, however, is getting used to the enormous physicality in Test rugby, especially as it relates to the post-tackle contest.
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