Jordie Barrett backs Joseph Sua'ali'i to continue improving after position switch

Barrett will come face-to-face with Sua'ali'i on Friday when the Hurricanes meet the NSW Waratahs in a crucial Super Rugby clash, setting up a direct battle between the two centres.

The pair share comparable journeys across the backline. Barrett, now 29, began his international career primarily at fullback before eventually shifting into the centres. Sua'ali'i is now undergoing a similar transition, while also responding to calls from fans and commentators to become more involved in games.

"It’s been awesome. I love it when you get such high-calibre players, and his move from rugby league is great for our game. He's been outstanding," Barrett said.

"We've got a massive challenge trying to contain him tomorrow night, and, hopefully, he's got a big future with Australian Rugby.”

Barrett believes the varied roles Sua'ali'i is currently playing will accelerate his development during just his second season in Super Rugby.

“I think if you chucked him in one spot, he probably wouldn't learn as much, and the fact that he's playing fullback and 13, [the] occasional wing, it'll fast-track his development, and particularly the defensive side of the game, and he's already a very good defender," he said.

“I think it's a great thing being thrust into different situations that he might be a little bit uncomfortable as well, so he'll grow massively.”

Before switching codes, Sua'ali'i played rugby league primarily as a winger or centre for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League, while also representing New South Wales and Samoa at international level.

On 25 March 2023, during round four of the 2023 NRL season, it was announced that Sua'ali'i had signed with Rugby Australia to transition to rugby union with the New South Wales Waratahs and the Wallabies from 2025. Although the figures were never officially confirmed, reports suggested the deal was worth between A$1.5 million and A$1.6 million per year through to the end of 2027.

The agreement came only weeks after Sua'ali'i had activated a clause in his Roosters contract to remain with the club until the end of the 2024 NRL season, a decision that also saw him turn down an estimated A$2.7–2.8 million offer from rival NRL club South Sydney.

Sua'ali'i later said his main motivation for switching codes was a long-standing ambition to feature in a British & Irish Lions tour in 2025 and to play at a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.

His move to rugby union attracted widespread attention and was frequently compared with high-profile code switches by Israel Folau, Sonny Bill Williams and Lote Tuqiri. As with those transitions, Sua'ali'i’s decision drew both criticism and support from figures across rugby league and rugby union.