Israel Folau was one of the greatest athletes ever to grace professional rugby. Tall, elegant and effortless, he never ploughed the same earthbound furrow as mere mortals. He glided over the ground as if navigating some invisible thermal, two inches above the surface of the grass. He seemed to hang in the air for improbable, Michael Jordan-like moments in time. The finger of God informed his footballing intuition.
And yet, had Folau been born a New Zealander, it is unlikely he would ever have displaced his contemporary Ben Smith for the All Blacks. Smith’s talent lay in his unrelenting desire to master all aspects of rugby football. And master them he did – the kick and the kick-chase, the pass-master, the defensive groveller at the breakdown, a last line of smart defence as impregnable as Rorke’s Drift.
Where the tri-sport Wallaby hovered slightly above the game, aloof from the mundane and the down-and-dirty, the All Black was the ultimate professional. When the sun shone on Folau, nobody burned brighter with its effulgence; but Smith was truly a man for all seasons, a master of every situation, come rain or shine. Folau may have been an oval-ball genius, but Smith was the more complete player.
The Wallabies could just have stumbled on their own ideal in the shape of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. The signing of the Sydney Roosters star from the NRL may yet turn out to be the best bit of business during ex-RA chairman Hamish McLennan’s hit-and-miss tenure, culminating in a disastrous 2023 World Cup exit at the pool stage.
McLennan was characteristically melodramatic when he claimed back in 2023: “The criticism of [Suaalii] and the deal is crazy. Before he pulls on a jumper, he has generated over $50 million [AUD] worth of publicity for rugby… and the first time he plays for the Waratahs in front of a full house, he pays for himself. It’s a no-brainer.”
It is rare indeed a player so new to the sport attracts comment, let alone praise from one of its established stars, but Beauden Barrett did not hesitate. Maybe he even sees something of his own younger self in Suaalii:
“Look, he changed the game for the Wallabies last year on the northern tour. [Speaking] as a rugby fan, it was great to see him come over from league and play so well. We are all aware in New Zealand what this guy can do with the ball. It’s great for the game, and great for this competition.”
How do you justify the hype? Claims such as McLennan’s only begin to make sense if the player’s work ethic and humility match his talent level. The signs are in Suaalii’s case, the stars are aligned. As he commented in the Waratahs’ pre-season:
“If you want to be the best, you’ve got to take a harder route.
“You’re not going to be the best just playing one position. I am a big believer that learning all different positions can make you better.
“I feel the more I accumulate that knowledge, the better I’ll be as a player.”
‘Taking the harder route’ for Suaalii meant switching from his November tour position of centre with the Wallabies, to full-back for the Waratahs’ opening fixture against the Highlanders in Sydney. It took Folau a full four years to move in the other direction, from the back three to centre in New South Wales, and a further two before he was selected there for the Wallabies, so Suaalii is well ahead of the curve.
It is a solid indication of his willingness to experiment and learn the basics of rugby at this level – the Smith way. There will be mistakes for sure, but the improvements will be incremental. And at the end of the road lies the holy grail of completeness.
The move also makes sense for Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar, who can pair his best two centres [Joey Walton and Lalakai Foketi] together in midfield, while fielding a potential Wallaby back three of the future in Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen and Suaalii.
In the event, the Waratahs claimed one of a clean sweep of three Australian victories in the first round of Super Rugby Pacific, in the very last minute of the game. A Brumbies side featuring six debutants became the first Australian team to win in Fiji with a last-gasp 36-32 victory over the Drua, and the Western Force won a 99-point nailbiter in stoppage time against Moana Pasifika, Ardie Savea and all. The times, they may just be a changin’ for Australian rugby.
At his league home ground in Sydney, Suaalii enjoyed his first taste of life in a sky-blue backfield:
“I reckon the intensity was more here in Super Rugby [compared to international Rugby] if I am being quite honest. I was talking to Jake Gordon about it; just the ball-in-play, the contact and the Highlanders boys were ready to play today.
“I got hit a couple of times, but it was good. It’s a high level of footy we’re playing here, especially against those Kiwi boys…I’m just glad we got the win.
“I actually enjoyed being able to see the game at 15, and just being able to scan and see from a different perspective [than you get] from centre.
“It’s more running compared to centre where you’re tackling a little bit more. It was a lot of high-speed running, so I still need to get the kilometres into my legs, but I felt pretty good out there.”
One of the criteria for a player who truly has the appetite and humility to learn about the game is their attitude to adversity, when the key planks in their performance do not function as well as expected. At Twickenham in November, Suaalii had enjoyed a field day reclaiming kicks; not least from restarts, not least in direct opposition to England’s new skipper Maro Itoje.
Against the Highlanders, he was not part of the NSW planning from kick-offs, and he only regathered one of six contestable kicks versus a Highlanders backfield defence which had obviously done its homework.
That reclaim was in only the second minute of the game, and Suaalii went 65 minutes without winning another. Neutralising a player’s point of difference can have a debilitating impact on performance, but not that of Suaalii. He simply focused on contributing in other ways.
One of Australia’s areas of relative weakness has been last-line defence after a break. None of Tom Wright, Kellaway and Jorgensen are great defenders in one-on-one situations.
At 6ft 2ins tall and tipping the scales at 107kg, Highlanders centre Tanielu Telea is not an easy man to stop in full flight. The modern method in these scenarios is for the defender to stay as square and high as possible in contact, to deny both the run down the sideline, and stop the offload to support on the inside. None of the other three contenders for the Wallaby 15 jersey have the size and physicality to manage both, but Suaalii is able to drag Telea down while effectively blocking the pass in contact.
On attack, the most promising Wallaby pointer was the fast-developing relationship between Suaalii and his 20-year-old mate in the back three, left wing Jorgensen.
Suaalii and ‘Jorgo’ are likely to be involved against the British and Lions in July, and their final interaction down the left illustrated the essential difference between Folau and the rising star.
One the weaknesses in Folau’s game which was never really addressed was his presentation [and protection] of the ball on the deck after a tackle, and opponents knew how to exploit it. If he won the ball in the air, they just waited for him to come back to terra firma before taking it off him. In this instance, Suaalii is alert to the need to win ‘the fight on the ground’ immediately and present quick ball despite the Highlanders’ efforts to tie it up near the goal-line. It’s a small detail, but it’s one Smith would appreciate.
They say top players in any sport are also role models for the young. Back in April 2019, Folau’s contract was terminated by Rugby Australia abruptly when he “expressed [religious] beliefs inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.”
As outrageously-talented as he was, Folau was no Smith on the field either – if improvement in all areas of play, and the consistency of professional habits are the measure of a man. Twelve years after Folau’s sensational first appearance for the Wallabies, Australia may just have found a new hero in another Lions year, in the shape Suaalii.
The ex-leaguer is open to experimenting with different positions, and he wants to peer into every nook and cranny, learn every last nuance of the game. He expects to be the best, and he is prepared to take the more testing fork in the road to get there. His first game in a Waratahs jersey was one baby step to the ultimate goal, and there are many more to come.
Following Topo and Noriega!
Nick,you mentioned the possible Wallaby back 3 of Kellaway,Sualii and Jorgensen(not sure why Wright isn’t first picked),but I was very disappointed in Kellaway.I always thought of him as one of those players who rarely made errors and usually showed great awareness,but there seems to be a lot of errors coming into his game.What do you think?
That was one of the things that I really noticed about his game,every time he went to ground,he presented the ball perfectly for his supports.That is one area where most league recruits take a long while to get used to.
Couple his rugby brain with all his physical attributes and skill levels,then it is not too hard to see why there is hype about him.Plus,he shows great humility.
How I would love him to turn out as consistent a performer as Ben Smith!
I was always hoping he’d somehow become a wallaby!
Yes they have two relative lightweights in Horton and Dolly, and one very big man in BPA. Interestingly ex-Force THP Santi Medrano going very well in Top 14 with Vannes!
I’d be interested to hear your analysis. They got absolutely murdered 2nd half. Not sure if the Moana bench scrum was strong or the Force were light. Horton looks light to me compared with a BPA hooker
I’ll have to take a look tbh DW.
If Moli has retained any of his NZ form he may be the better long-term option than Robbo at THP.
But BPA will have a big role in holding the front row together as the season unwinds, for sure.
If I was a Tahs fan, i’d like to see them do away with the midfield contestable high kicks for Sua’ali’i. It feels like a confession that they’ve run out of ideas on attack.
There was a fair bit of variety in the contestables Mithc, but I doubt you are ever going to see the Tahs keep the ball for long periods a la Cheika with DMK at the helm. They will kick a lot.
The ‘little prince’ has commented that he found international rugby rather easy. SR is ‘harder’, apparently.
I wonder if that ‘humble’ comment will find its way into future international opponent dressing rooms.
In the same interview he also said he didn’t deserve MOTM in the England test, and that Bell or a number of other players deserved it more.
Intensity is a very specific thing. NH sides are more technical, it was a clear differentiation he noted and the NH sides wont change that just for him.
I don’t think it was arrogant. But I’d guess he may feel a whole lot different once he’s played the Springboks!
An interesting article, Nick. Thanks. Agree that Folau would not have been selected over Ben Smith. Smith was one of the sublime players of his era, wonderful to wtach….and ofc play with. And then there was Conrad Smith as well, and “Nuggett “ Smith. Lucky for NZ the ancestral Smiths chose NZ as their new home.
J A Sua’ali’i is looking really something special, but is without doubt being over hyped, so many are getting ahead of themselves. But he is not, and that is so much to his credit, and can only stand him in good stead in the long term.
It is interesting that there is a similar level of hype in Ireland, especially Leinster, Sam Prendergast. Sam and Joseph, both born in 2003, Sam just turned 22, both look to be headed towards rugby greatness. and we as rugby people should have years of joy ahead watching these two young men develop to full potential. It is good to see that both are very humble young men, both quick to give credit to the other 23 players who, on any given day, give them the scope to display their talents.
Both up and coming talents for sure but my sense is that they’re on significantly different trajectories, at this point anyway. SP has gone from ‘possible’ to ‘maybe’ and has much more to do before he reaches ‘probable’ future great. He may well get there but he’s got it all to do as things stand and a load of development to work on as well. JAS for me is on a different track. He came in riding a hype train and pretty much everyone was waiting for a fall in the Autumn but, if anything, he over delivered against all realistic expectations. Cant really think of anyone observing him who wasn’t very impressed that he measured up to his advance publicity. He’s definitely in the ‘probable’ future great category as things stand, and not too far off the top end of that category either!
Yes when you see and feel the hype around these players Miz, you know it has to be kept firmly grounded - for both player and onlooker.
What Iike asbout JAS is thew ay he came out on to Twickernham with no boots or socks in the warmup, just feeeling the turf. I think his work ethic and need to learn will do the same for him throughout his time in rugby [rumour has it he’s going back to league after the RWC 2027.
I don’t know if SP is the same but he’s been pretty level-headed so far!
Thanks Nick. Folau also never played rugby, as far as I know, in his youth. Joseph played as a kid and at school too. I also agree that his attitude appears to be very positive. Folau after the first few seasons never struck me as that motivated. These are small things but after the game when the cameras were trying to interview him he was up in the stands with the fans. He seems to have some care for giving back to the fans which is great. He’s also originally a western Sydney boy so wouldn’t it be great to see some future JAS kids start playing rugby instead of league!
Any ideas on how the Tahs can operate a plan B when kicking high isn’t working? In the first half they seemed out of other ideas.
Yes Folau played three sports as a pro - AFL, NRL and rugby - but unlike JAS had no background as a youngster…
He seems to have the right attitude to his time in rugby. Thirsty to learn and absorb information, and I never really got that impression from Folau. Some parts of his game never really improved as they might have.
The gameplan is interesting, because it is mostly a Brumbies derivative, which means it will be very structured and not too flexible. Was this the problem DMK experienced at Leicester I wonder?
Most of the kicking will undoubtedly come off 9.
He’s going to be good. Very very good. With Aussie coaches he’s not going to be held back. Tom Wright is great but not reliable enough to be Wallaby fullback. He should go to wing. And yes, in a rare kiwi compliment Ben Smith was exceptional.
Folau should have stuck at the wing where his limited skills wouldn't have been so exposed. He was very good at jumping and running but not much else. We can only hope Sualli doesn't develop a guilt complex about his younger drinking and womanising days like Folau and try and cleanse his soul and adopt his father's extreme religion.
Watch how the kiwis will very cunningly try and ‘accidentally’ get underneath Sualli while he is the air, to unsettle him. I hope the non kiwi refs at least are on to this. It’s insidious but that's what they do.
He would not be held back by any sensible coach, which is why Joe already picked him the WBs so early. If you are unaware, Joe is the main WB selector.😉
Not a Kiwi thing, all teams look to ways to compete and Taine Robinson in particular did very well on that score in the Landers backfield.
Nice to see Simon Cron receiving NZ reinforcements with Leon MacDonald joining him in WA eh?
Thanks NB, did you watch the whole Highlanders Waratahs game? Very entertaining match. JAS was definitely only used one way in the 1st half along with a commentary hype machine. The hype is justified to the extent that he could be a great player but it was annoying that others were basically ignored. Highlanders are tracking right direction with some threat outside. I just noticed in one of your vid examples that when JAS makes his tackle that Taine Robertson is cleaned up off the ball by Angus Bell.
Yes I did and I was impressed by the Landers, who looked far better than last year and were unlucky to lose the game.
Taine Robinson actually had a notbale game as it was he under challenge from JAS in the air for much of the time, and he didn’t give up many.
MOM was probably Timoci Tavatavanawai, who showed surprising triple threat at 12.
But I feel on that early viewing the Landers might well turn out to be a 50% team this term.
I did not see that one as I watched the game, OM. That should have been picked up and penalised. Bell had no right to barge Robertson.
I saw a couple of other things that I would raise here, see what others think.
First the awarding of the penalty after the tackle in the 39th minute. Looking at the action closely, Waratah 12 is brought down by Highlanders 11. Highlanders 11 is back on his feet inst very fast, and has released totally apart from his righthand holding the jersey of 12. !! jackals well, and the ball spills out of the contact zone.
The way that sequence is now seen in so many caes by referees is a sufficient release, and the player over the ball having the right to jackal. I would also be looking at the support the Waratahs 12 had. One player with him only, who did go in to clean, really overran the breakdown. There were no other Waratahs within 10 -15 m as the jackal took place. Waratahs 12 was isolated, and there were four Highlanders in attendance. In my view, that was a wrong decision 9/10 times.
Oh, and going right back, I felt it was clear the ball was passed forward out of the hands by Sua’ali’i in the lead up. Look at the nearest support player, who strthes out and misses the pass which goes to ground and is then picked up by 12. Highlanders were unlucky to concede the three points in a game that was won by one point at the death.
The second one is the chip by Sua’ali’i earlier in that first half, 31 st min. The Highlander 6 jumps vertically to block, misses, and while still in the air, Sua’ali’i collides with him. Surely that is a penalty against the player on the ground. The Highlander 6 also makes no move to block JS, no out stretched arm, or shoulder swing.
I agree. In the first half, after he took that one screamer they just kept kicking it high for him. One resulted in a try to Otago! They had no other plans but the second half they seemed to smarten up
Aussie rugby needs the hype OM! Let's hope that he attracts people to the sport, because they'll see some fantastic code. With the law changes they've introduced in the past few years there's less downtime, faster action and consequently more fatigue.
Bell has been watching too many kiwis