Wallaby Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii named for Waratahs debut at fullback

Rugby Australia’s marquee recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will debut for the NSW Waratahs on Saturday afternoon when they take on the ACT Brumbies at Eridge Oval, Bowral, which is in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.

Suaalii, 21, debuted for the Wallabies during last year’s Spring Tour at outside centre, but will line up in a new position for the Tahs this weekend after being named at fullback. The former Sydney Roosters flyer is among 13 Wallabies who have been named in the 27-man team.

Coach Dan McKellar has named 10 Wallabies in the First XV alone, which includes seven from last year’s Spring Tour squad. Angus Bell, David Porecki, Rob Leota, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway and Lalakai Foketi have been selected.

Off the bench, Australia internationals Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, and Darby Lancaster will look to make an impact and impress the coaching staff before the new Super Rugby Pacific season begins on February 14.

Prop Daniel Botha, locks Ben Grant and Miles Amatosero, flanker Charlie Gamble, and inside centre Joey Walton are the other five players in the Waratahs starting side. On the bench, keep en eye out for midfielder Henry O’Donnell and former Reds playmaker Lawson Creighton.

“The trial games are an opportunity to give people game time across the board,” coach McKellar said in a statement.

“There’s a lot, lot of players here who have worked incredibly hard over recent months. They got a good opportunity last week against NSW Pacifica.

“Then there’s the players who have returned (from Wallabies commitments) over the last few weeks. They’ll get an opportunity this week.

“And that’s what it comes down to… a chance for everyone to put their best foot forward for selection for 14 February.

“That’s the approach we have for these two trial games, as well as considering training performance.

“Myself and the (assistant) coaches will then have a discussion about what we think is the best 23 to start the season.”

From this 27-man list, the selection of Suaalii is most likely to spark debate and conversation. Suaalii received Player of the Match honours on debut for the Wallabies during November’s win over England – a result which now holds a special place in Australian rugby history.

Suaalii immediately became a key player for the Wallabies, despite not having played even a single minute of Shute Shield in New South Wales or Super Rugby. But the New South Wales and Samoa rugby league representative brought genuine X-factor to Joe Schmidt’s team.

Coach McKellar recently said on Stan Sport that Suaalii’s “natural and raw talents” are “scary” as the relatively young prospect continues to learn the sport. But there’s no doubt that Suaalii will be an important player for the Waratahs, starting with this weekend.

“Thankfully, he was involved in the Wallabies tour and a number of the other players around him were too… your Jake Gordons, Kellaways, Jorgensens… these players,” McKellar added of Suaalii.

“You know he’s familiar with them now, and he’s quickly building a nice combination with guys like Lalakai (Foketi) and Joe Walton as well.”

NSW Waratahs to play ACT Brumbies in pre-season on Saturday at 3:00 pm

1. Angus Bell
2. David Porecki
3. Daniel Botha
4. Ben Grant
5. Miles Amatosero
6. Rob Leota
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Langi Gleeson
9. Jake Gordon (c)
10. Tane Edmed
11. Max Jorgensen
12. Joey Walton
13. Lalakai Foketi
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Replacements

16. Julian Heavan
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Felix Kalapu
19. Hugh Sinclair
20. Jamie Adamson
21. Triston Reilly
22. Lawson Creighton
23. Darby Lancaster
24. Jack Grant
25. Henry O’Donnell
26. Leafi Talataina
27. –
28. Taniela Tupou