- Converted to rugby after successful NRL stint at Sydney Roosters
- Was pitched in the deep end and was named man-of-the-match in shock win
- Now facing a huge problem ahead of second match against Wales
Former NRL star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is facing a stunning demotion despite his electrifying Wallabies debut against England.
The former Sydney Roosters star was thrust into a starting centre role, despite having just finished the NRL season and not playing rugby union for five years.
The 21-year-old responded with an exceptional performance that helped guide Australia to a 42-37 win after the Wallabies had lost five of their last six Tests and famously flamed out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the group stage.
However coach Joe Schmidt is set to dump the rugby league convert to the bench for the Wallabies’ next clash against Wales, instead recalling Samu Kerevi to the starting centres.
Queensland Reds star Hunter Paisami remains unavailable through injury, which creates further intrigue on the long-term starting centre pairing for the Wallabies.
Wallabies legend Tim Horan said that Paisami’s absence had accelerated Suaalii’s international rugby career and said the NRL star could forge a long partnership with Len Ikitau.
‘It would have been interesting to see what Joe Schmidt would have done if Hunter Paisami was fit for this Test match,’ Horan said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
‘Would he have started with Suaalii on the bench? But I tell you what, a great combination they built and just the offloads they both got away and they backed themselves.
‘So it could be, yes, it’s only one Test match for the combination, but it could be a long-term opportunity for this Wallabies pairing and sometimes they can swap too because whether they’ve got 12 or 13 on their back doesn’t really matter I don’t think with these two.’
‘I can’t wait for the next couple of Test matches to see him in space with ball in hand… he’s got his feet on the ground, he understands he’s got to improve in a lot of different areas but we didn’t see a lot of him with ball in hand in open space.
‘So I can’t wait to see that.’
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While Schmidt might not be ready to cement Suaalii as his starting centre just yet, opposition coach Warren Gatland has been gushing in support of the NRL convert.
The Wales coach revealed on Thursday just what a fan he is of the Wallabies’ thrilling new outside centre – even if Suaalii might just end up being the player to help shove him out of a job in Cardiff on Sunday.
‘I think the impressive thing about him was his off-loading game – just being able to get the ball away,’ said Gatland, whose job is increasingly under pressure with Wales facing a potential record-breaking 11th straight Test defeat.
‘He didn’t get a lot of opportunities with the ball in hand from an attacking perspective, but it was just being able to get the ball he got away over the top for a try and not die with the ball.
‘I thought he fitted in pretty well for someone to be thrown into his first professional game at international level at Twickenham.
‘I think the game needs people like that. The game needs superstars. For him to be named man-of-the-match as well, and to create that hype.
‘We all know and are pretty aware that rugby in Australia needs a boost. And hopefully for him, that is the kind of boost that he may provide.’
