England make stunning change to combat ‘unknown’ Wallabies debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is preparing to make his Wallabies Test debut on Sunday at Twickenham just six weeks after his last NRL game – and England clearly fear the ‘unknown’ cross-code star.

Hard running centre Ollie Lawrence has been shifted to mark the former utility back at the Roosters – and he could be in for a torrid 80 minutes as Australia look for a first up win on their Spring Tour.

‘It’s obviously difficult because he’s just switched codes,’ Lawrence said.

‘I’ve seen a lot of his footy over the years and he’s been an incredible player in [rugby] league.

‘If you just look at his stature, he’s a big lad at 6’5 and he’s quick, so you know you have to take time and space away from him as quickly as possible.

‘There’s definitely a bit of unknown about him, but I’m excited to go up against world-class players.

‘Like we do for every opposition, we look at their strengths and weaknesses and look where we can go after them.’

Despite last playing rugby when a schoolboy star at The Kings School in Sydney, Suaalii, 21, isn’t lacking confidence.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is preparing to make his Wallabies Test debut this weekend at Twickenham – and England clearly fear the ‘unknown’ cross-code star (pictured)

Ollie Lawrence will mark the former NRL utility back at the Roosters – and the centre could be in for a torrid 80 minutes as Australia look for a first up win on their Spring Tour

‘My aerial game, [plus] passing, kicking, seeing space and then beating defenders. I feel like that’s always been a strength of mine,’ Suaalii told Stan Sport.

‘I’ve [also] known for a long time what I want to do with my life….and I’ve always seen the Spring Tour, the Lions tour and a home World Cup – it’s been a dream for myself.

‘My family, we are all very proud Australians. ‘So, yeah, pulling on that [gold] jersey, it’ll be a special moment.’

Meanwhile, former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui is tipping Suaalii to be a standout against England.

He believes the ex-Roosters young gun will be ‘an excellent success’ and was excited to see him named in the starting XV by coach Joe Schmidt.

Kick-off between Australia and England is 2:10am AEDT on Sunday, with the action live on Stan Sport.  

More than 80,000 fans are tipped to be at Twickenham, with the Wallabies to play further Tests on the Spring Tour against Wales (November 18), Scotland (November 25) and Ireland (December 1).