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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii primed to feature heavily for Waratahs
By AAP
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has declared himself a certain starter for Super Rugby Pacific’s round one while revealing he’s been handed a license to thrill for the NSW Waratahs in 2025.
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The Waratahs’ prized signing was a late scratching from last Saturday’s trial against the ACT Brumbies in Mudgee but insists sitting out the 36-all draw to nurse a sore knee was merely precautionary.
Suaalii returned to full training on Wednesday feeling “really confident” he will be 100 per cent fit to tackle the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium on February 14.
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“Yeah, I’ll be available for selection,” he told AAP at the official Super Rugby Pacific season launch in Sydney.
Suaalii had been named to start at fullback against the Brumbies amid much debate about where the versatile back would best fit into the Waratahs’ star-studded backline.
But the 21-year-old former Sydney Roosters and NSW State of Origin rugby league representative is adamant he’s not fussed where he plays.
“Honestly. I’ve always played different positions growing up too, so I enjoy playing rugby and that’s the main thing,” he said.
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“So I just see it as a number (on my back). I don’t see it as a defined position.”
In a concern for opposition defences, Suaalii said NSW’s new coach, former Brumbies mentor and Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar, had given him a roving commission at the Waratahs.
“Dan said to me, ‘Go find the ball’. I tell myself too to go find the ball,” he said.
“So if I’m playing on the wing, centre or fullback, it’s about finding the ball.
“But it’s always about learning different roles and how to make me a better rugby player.
“Look, if you want to be the best you have to take a harder route. You’re not going to be the best just playing in one position.
“So I’m a big believer in learning all different positions, making yourself better a certain positions.
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“So I’m just enjoying playing, whether it be 10, fullback … it’s just a game of rugby.”
Despite not having played rugby since high school, Suaalii proved a revelation on the Wallabies’ spring tour, named man of the match in Australia’s shock victory over England at Twickenham in November.
He said he used the tour as an opportunity to also improve other areas of his game, chiefly at the breakdown.
“I feel like that’s just it’s so important in the game of rugby, the breakdown,” Suaalii said.
“That was probably the biggest challenge and something I’m working on now too.”
Shunning suggestions he’s the new face of Australian rugby, Suaalii can’t wait for the season to start so he can let his football, literally, do the talking.
“I just play rugby and that’s what I do,” he said.
“And I love playing rugby. I don’t really see much of the external stuff.
“I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest talker. I don’t say too much. This is probably the most I will talk in the day doing this, doing press.
“So I don’t say too much. I just go about my work. I love talking on the rugby field because you’ve got to have that.
“But otherwise I don’t talk too much.”
Suaalii’s arrival to Super Rugby even has New Zealand’s five formidable line-ups on guard.
“We all know in New Zealand what this guy can do with the ball in his hands,” said All Blacks star Beauden Barrett, the playmaker for the defending champion Blues.
“So it’s great for the game and this competition.”
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