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How Wallaby teammate describes playing alongside 'freak' Joseph Suaalii

By PA
Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i of Australia is congratulated by Marcus Smith of England after the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between England and Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Australia centre Len Ikitau has described his Wallabies midfield partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as “a freak” following an unforgettable display against England.

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Suaalii’s first professional game of rugby union saw him deliver a player-of-the-match performance as Australia triumphed 42-37.

World-class contributions in all areas defied the 21-year-old former rugby league star’s lack of experience as a union player.

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The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

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The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

And he could easily wreak similar havoc when Australia tackle out-of-sorts Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

“He is a freak, man,” Ikitau said, during a Wallabies press conference in the Welsh capital.

Fixture
Internationals
Wales
20 - 52
Full-time
Australia
All Stats and Data

“Just being able to play next to him and see what he can do on the field is awesome. And we are just expecting more from him now he has had his first game.

“We saw all of that at training. He came in, he did what he needed to learn and just showcased his skills on the field.

“I thought it was awesome to see him defending the 13 channel. He just wanted to be involved and wanted to get the ball.”

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Suaalii’s breathtaking Wallabies debut was probably the last thing Wales needed to see, especially as they now go into the Autumn Nations Series clash one defeat away from a record 11th successive Test match loss.

A 24-19 reversal against Fiji came just a day after Australia saw off England in a classic Twickenham encounter, and the Wallabies will be confident of collecting a 10th win from their last 12 Cardiff visits.

Suaalii is set to be at the heart of that, and even if they have not faced him in person yet, Wales certainly know all about him.

“Seriously impressive,” was how Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe described Suaalii’s masterclass.

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“He made the game look pretty easy, didn’t he?” Anscombe said. “But look, it is going to be a great challenge and I am sure he will probably start in the midfield.

“I thought he had a sensational debut. He was dangerous, good in the air and quite a rangy player.”

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

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1 Comment
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mJ 9 days ago

Going to be interesting this week with Kerevi and Skelton. Wilson I think is out also with concussion.

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