Australia's Joseph Suaalii Declares Fitness for British Lions Series

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the high-profile Wallabies back recently signed from rugby league, has declared himself fit and ready to face the British and Irish Lions this summer despite a month-long recovery from a broken jaw. Suaalii, who has also dealt with a toe injury and concussion this season, lost nearly five kilograms due to eating difficulties following his jaw surgery but has since regained the weight with family support. He expressed the significance of the upcoming Lions series and Australia's warm-up match against Fiji, describing these rare fixtures as the biggest games of his life. Suaalii is confident in his ability to play multiple positions such as fullback, wing, or center and downplayed any personal rivalries, focusing instead on contributing to Australian rugby during a critical period. His injury was caused inadvertently by a collision with teammate Andrew Kellaway, who humorously remarked on the incident while expressing relief at Suaalii's progress. Overall, Suaalii's determination and recovery have positioned him as a key player for Australia's campaign against the Lions.