Joseph Suaalii has not let criticism of his Blues debut take a toll on his Origin dreams as the NSW centre reveals his new role in a bid to help level the series.
Suaalii was ineligible for selection for the Blues game two team as he continues to serve out his suspension for a sickening hit on Reece Walsh in Origin I.
Despite only playing seven minutes on debut, the 20-year-old has not been made an “outcast” within the Blues camp as coach Michael Maguire made a surprise call to the star.
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In a bid to help save the Blues’ Origin hopes, Maguire has welcome the Roosters centre to train with the new-look NSW team.
Speaking with 9news Sydney, Suaalii said he was honoured to receive the opportunity to don the NSW uniform once more, even if it meant he was without a jersey.
“Madge (Maguire) gave me the call to come back in and help the boys, and just be around the group and train,” Suaalii said.
“It’s still special to be here. Even just putting on the jumper, not even the actual jersey, but just the gear is still special.
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“You could go into your room and just look at a wall and feel sorry for yourself – but I just wanted to move onto the next thing and see what I could do to help the Roosters, help the Blues, and help myself and everyone around me.”
The rugby-union-bound star said he refuses to react to external noise and accusations that he intentionally made the smashing tackle on Walsh, declaring that his playing style is “quite aggressive” by nature.
“I don’t really get angry often. I won’t react to too much,” he said.
“The way I play footy is quite aggressive. I’m just trying to win.
“Unfortunately I hit Reece in the head. I felt like I let the state down and my family. But at the end of the day, it (does) happen in footy.
“I’m just trying to move on from that now.”
Maguire named Latrell Mitchell as the young gun’s replacement, with the Rabbitohs star set to make his first return to the Origin arena since 2021.
“I’ve always looked up to Latrell as a player growing up,” Suaalii said.
“The things he does on the field – I don’t know how he does it.
“He has earned his spot. He’s been here before, he knows what to do.
“It will be very good to see him back in the Blue jersey. He’s a beast.”