By David Williams
Winless Wales are already in the sights of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – the most exciting and hyped rugby talent in the world game.
After equaling the worst run on their history – Wales’ defeat to Fiji at the weekend was their 10th on the bounce – Warren Gatland’s side now host Australia this Sunday.
That means an encounter with Wallabies centre Suaalii who was the talk of the town after his Test debut in the Aussies’ 42-37 triumph over England at Twickenham.
But as he reflected on the joy of playing for Australia for the first time and delivering a man-of-the-match display against England fit for his family to savour, the 21-year-old former rugby league star was already looking forward to act two of his seamless makeover in Cardiff.
Right at home
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii debut highlights ▶️#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/KzEJBYr2iP
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 10, 2024
Marvelling at how his adventure was moving so fast and swearing he’d been completely unaware of the hype swirling around him, Suaalii explained that at Twickenham he had achieved a dream after starring in the last-gasp win.
“When (coach) Joe (Schmidt) gave me the nod that I was gonna play, it was a very emotional time, but I also knew I had to get a job done,” said the one-time schoolboy prodigy, who hadn’t played a game of union for five years.
“A hundred per cent, it was for moments like this I came over. It was always a dream of mine to come here, play overseas.
“My old man’s always said to me ‘it’s a big world out there’ and rugby brings that. Yeah, just to play here was special.”
The “old man” Chris Suaalii was there with wife Salina, having flown thousands of miles to revel in their boy’s Wallabies cap presentation after previously representing Samoa in rugby league.
“My old man actually took me to a World Cup rugby game in 2003, I think I was only a month old, England versus Samoa, and I was at the top of the crowd, and the Pommies were singing loud,” Suaalii said.
“And just to see my old man and my mum in the crowd, they’ve been at every professional game I’ve played, it’s always special.
“Hundred per cent, it was an emotional moment. My first time representing Australia, my (maternal) grandpa over from Cambodia, and my old man over from Samoa.
“And I’ve got six sisters and a brother, and we all live in Australia, so just to represent Australia for the first time in a professional arena was a very special moment for myself and my family.
“Honestly, it was great. It was a great win,” added Suaalii, who didn’t even realise he had been voted man of the match until his teammates informed him, leaving him feeling “stoked”.
“But like I’ve said to them, it’s just one game of four, so just straight on to the next one against Wales,” Suaalii said.
Asked how he was coping with all the attention, he shrugged: “Honestly, I don’t even know what’s going on externally.
“I’ve just focused on day by day. How can I be best for training? How can I be best for the next day and right now? Honestly, that’s just been my process coming over to union again.”
Twickenham reminded him why he’d always adored union: “Like there was just a bit of freedom, just to go play everywhere, kind of thing.
“And that was the thing I loved about union, being able to play it outside, go jump on the wing or jump at fullback. I feel like I’ve played a lot of positions, and I just love playing footy.”
To Suaalii, all this seems to be happening in a blur.
“I feel like I’ve just finished the league season,” he said.
“It’s only been a month and a bit since I’ve finished there, and it honestly just goes fast.
“But the whole time I’ve just been soaking everything up and learning as much as I can.
“There’s a lot of growth to come in my game from today. I’m just looking forward.”
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