Talan Risati: The Suaalii clone with better ball skills tearing it up for the Waratahs U16s
He’s a tall, athletic, goal-kicking back that spent most of this season terrorising defenders two or three years older than him while playing for Kings’ first XV side.
No, we’re not looking back at Joey Suaalii’s schoolboy days. We’re talking about Talent Risati, who looks to be every bit as good and even more versatile.
“Joey has come down to watch a few of my school games and he’s definitely an inspiration for every kid at Kings,” Risati told Rugby News while in camp with the Waratahs U16s side.
“He’s just so well presented on and off the field. Everyone wants to be like him and it’s easy to see why.”
While Suaalii will jump between centre, wing and fullback as he transitions back into the XV man game, Risati is also a playmaker and could arguably wear any number in the backline excluding perhaps No.9.