Joseph Suaalii slaps down Phil Gould criticism as rugby convert opens up about Reece Walsh Origin tackle

Joseph Suaalii has hit back at critics, including Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould, insisting he is doing things his way and dismissed claims he was reconsidering his defection to rugby. Since announcing he signed a bumper deal with Rugby Australia, Suaalii has been the target of somewhat of a media pile-on.

It all began when Gould called for the youngster to be released from his rugby league deal ahead of the 2023 NRL season, after signing a multi-million dollar contract with Australian Rugby. "Don’t let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. Go. Go now. Gone. He’s made his decision. You sign a contract for rugby 18 months before his league contract ends," Gould said at the time.

"He’s a tremendous athlete and is great for the game. But he’s decided to be a rugby player. Bye bye. Off you go."

Since then Suaalii has continued to have the move and his motives to change codes questioned, most recently over the weekend by News Corp journalist David Riccio who said his selection for the Wallabies' upcoming British and Irish Lions tour "cheapened the jersey". But speaking at the Wallabies jersey launch on Tuesday, Suaalii said he is on his own path and insists once he decided to make the switch to rugby nothing that was said could have changed his mind.

"No, I didn’t have one doubt in my mind that I was coming over,” said Suaalii. “I knew what I was doing straight away.

"I’ve always wanted to play union one day, and it’s always been a dream of mine. So no matter what anyone said, it was always stuck in my mind. Nothing was going to change it, no. I feel like everyone has an opinion, which is respected, but yeah, I’m on my own path. I feel like I’m doing my own path and dreaming how I want to dream. Everyone else can have their opinion. I’m just living the life I want to live."

Joseph Suaalii believes Reece Walsh incident made him better

Speaking about the differences between the two codes, Suaalii noted one of the main things he has to get his head around is tackling technique. “It is different tackling,” he said. "I feel like the league’s all about tackling high and getting the wrestle, but rugby is a lot about the chop tackle. I feel like that’s one of my strengths too. So, yeah, just about practising more, just practising every day. I feel like that’s the way I’ve got to do it."

Suaalii also spoke about his ugly high shot on Reece Walsh in State of Origin Game 1. Suaalii was controversially rewarded with a call-up to the NSW squad despite his known rugby defection. But his debut ended early after he was sent off for a high tackle on Walsh in the opening minutes. It was the last time he pulled on the Blues jersey, with many fans and pundits angry he was given the chance in the first place considering he wouldn't be playing rugby league after this season.

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However, looking back on the Walsh incident Suaalii says the experience and learning he gained from that moment and Game 1 as a whole has made him a better player. And Suaalii believes the experience of playing in front of a packed rowdy crowd and with all the pressure and scrutiny of the Origin arena will serve him well in the Wallabies' upcoming tour.

"I feel like I’ve learned a lot from that Origin game where I only played seven minutes,” he said. "Yeah, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about the preparation going into the game and how excited you can be and how there’s a balance between a lot of things that you’ve got to get [right] in those games."