Harry Potter named in Wallabies squad, league convert Joseph Sua’ali’i gets call-up

Harry Potter of the Force warms up ahead of a Super Rugby Pacific match. Photo / Getty Images

Harry Potter, the former Leicester Tigers wing who became a favourite of Steve Borthwick, could face his former head coach after being selected in Australia’s squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.

Potter, now of the Western Force, is one of three uncapped players in the 34-man Wallabies group alongside rugby league convert Joseph Sua’ali’i and 24-year-old first five Tane Edmed.

There are also returns for La Rochelle lock Will Skelton and centre Samu Kerevi as Joe Schmidt faces up to fixtures against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland next month.

Potter, who was born in London, joined Leicester from the Melbourne Rebels in 2020 and established himself in the East Midlands, starting on the left wing in the 2022 Premiership final victory over Saracens.

The 26-year-old’s rise to the Australia set-up comes on the back of a return to the country in 2023 and he will compete for game-time with back-three options including Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch.

Sua’ali’i, 21, who traded the Sydney Roosters for the 15-a-side code in a deal reported to be worth more than A$5 million ($5.5m) over three years, is also likely to feature in the backline – either at centre or in the outside backs.

“He’s a kid who works hard on his game and ... we want to give him the best runway possible to try to get involved in the Wallabies,” Schmidt explained to reporters in Sydney.

“[I decided that him] being in an environment where we get to know him was probably most beneficial for us, and hopefully for Joseph and the team.

“We don’t put guys in the squad to have them learn, certainly not for a full tour.” Schmidt suggested that Sua’ali’i will feature at some point in November.

“Maybe for a week or two, but I would hope there would be some integration into game time.”

Skelton has not played a Test since the victory over Georgia in the opening game of last year’s disastrous World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones.

Now 32, Skelton is viewed by Schmidt as an influential figurehead within the Wallabies set-up, even if he will not be available for the Ireland encounter due to that match falling outside the designated international window.

“He’s keen as mustard,” said Schmidt of Skelton. “He didn’t need any convincing to play for the Wallabies. He’s a really positive character and he has real gravitas in the group.”