It is now 12 years since a cross-code superstar burst onto the international rugby union since in a Lions Test series and history could be set to repeat itself this summer.

While Israel Folau’s Wallaby career ended six years ago due to controversial statements on homosexuality, his emergence in 2013 was something to behold.

The Lions eventually triumphed 2-1 in Australia on that Tour, despite Folau’s best efforts, which included two tries in the opening Test.

As the Lions prepare to head back Down Under, it is another NRL sensation who could pose their biggest challenge.

Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i served notice last November when he produced a Player of the Match performance in his first game of senior rugby union as Australia stunned England at Allianz Stadium.

Blessed with remarkable athleticism making him virtually unbeatable under a high ball, Sua’ali’i also has the sort of offloading ability that made Sonny Bill Williams such a force of nature when he came across from league.

Little wonder that Lee Radford, who coached Sua’ali’i for Samoa’s national rugby league team as they reached the League World Cup final in 2022, describes him as a cheat code.

“Joseph came into the Samoan squad as a 19-year-old,” said Radford, who was working as the defence coach under head coach Matt Parish.

“In that squad we had ‘The Hammer’ (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow), who plays for the Dolphins, we had Stephen Crichton, who is probably the world’s best centre, but also wanted to play full-back.

“Joseph went to Matt (Parish) and said I want to play full-back, I want as many involvements as I possibly can. Matt decided to go with him and what a decision that was.

“For a 19-year-old to come in and hold court in the meetings like he did. As full-back, you’ve got to be very demanding of your front line. I said it when I came away from the camp, I’ve never seen a 19-year-old before with that amount of, I’m not sure if it’s confidence but that presence. You looked at his performances throughout the campaign, he got better and better. The Lions will have it all to keep him quiet during that Test series.”

Now the defence coach of Northampton Saints, Radford has experience of confident youngsters, including the youngest Lion in Andy Farrell’s squad this summer, Henry Pollock.

But even among the very brightest young stars, Radford believes that Sua’ali’i is one of a kind in the way he approaches the game.

He added: “He came over in November for the World Cup, and November in the UK is pissing it down and freezing. At the end of every session, he would be on the try-line meditating to himself.

“At half-past six every morning, religiously he is up and will go for a walk by himself. He’ll come back and take notes from the day previous and write down what he wants from the day upcoming. He’s a very thoughtful young man. He’s a different character.”

For Australia, Sua’ali’i has been used in the midfield, while for Super Rugby side the Waratahs, he has also got game time at full-back.

Radford believes that it does not really matter which position he starts, Australia will just be desperate to get the ball in his hands.

Describing where he could play, Radford said: “I think wing, 12, 13, 15. A bit like Tommy Freeman, the more times you can get him on the football, the better you will get from him. He’s what you call a cheat code, you want to get him the ball as much as you can and in as much space as possible.”

Whether it is his offloading or that ability to pluck a ball out of the air, the Lions know what is coming their way. Finding a way to stop Sua’ali’i is another matter entirely and may be the difference between a series victory or a Wallaby upset.