One of his first Wallabies memories involved Israel Folau’s Australian debut and NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii says his relationship with the “great man” is helping guide his own much-hyped entrance to international rugby.

Suaalii, who signed the biggest contract in Australian rugby history after a four-year stint with the Sydney Roosters, is unmoved by expectations he could replicate the deeds of dual-code international Folau, on the field at least.

The 21-year-old said he’s known Folau, who was sacked by Rugby Australia over a homophobic social media post, since he was a teenage rugby phenom, a period during which he was invited into Wallabies camp by former coach Michael Cheika and introduced to some players who are now his teammates.

But Folau has proven to be a sounding board for Suaalii and a “great mentor” as he eyes off his Wallabies debut on the upcoming spring tour of the UK.

“I met Israel when I was 14, looked up to him when I was younger,” Suaalii said as the Wallabies special jersey for next year’s blockbuster series against the British and 파워볼 Irish Lions was revealed.

“I felt like I really wanted to ask him a lot of questions, I feel like that’s been one of my strengths, always learning.

“Israel was someone I could look up and ask questions. Every now and then I do catch up with him, he’s a great mentor

“Izzy doesn’t speak a lot. It’s more of his actions. He’s a great man, first of all, and I feel like that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned, always be a great man outside of footy.”

Suaalii said he was more than ready to shoulder the expectation that comes with his multimillion-dollar contract, and the Folau comparisons, given he too looms as a backline star for coach Joe Schmidt, who hasn’t confirmed which position Suaalii will play when he makes his Wallabies debut.