'If I'm being quite honest': Suaalii's huge call on Super Rugby after mixed debut
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has made the remarkable call that Super Rugby Pacific is more intense than the Test rugby he experienced on last year's Spring Tour.
Suaalii made his Waratahs debut on Friday night as NSW kicked off their campaign with a dramatic 37-36 victory in Sydney.
The 21-year-old had a mixed outing at fullback but the good outweighed the bad before he limped off Allianz Stadium after 66 minutes with cramp.
Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match ad free, live and on demand
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Waratahs limps after a heavy tackle. Getty
"I reckon the intensity, it was more here – that's Super Rugby," Suaalii told reporters.
"If I'm being quite honest, I was talking to (Waratahs captain) Jake Gordon about it - just the ball in play, the contact and the boys were ready to play today, the Highlanders boys.
"I got hit a couple of times. 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."
READ MORE: Suaalii mobbed by fans during victory interview
READ MORE: Schmidt breaks silence on 'disappointing' Wallabies exit
READ MORE: 'Unreal': Waratahs hero dropped 25kg in pre-season
Taine Robinson of the Highlanders tackles Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Waratahs. Getty
After leaving the Roosters, Suaalii played in all four of Australia's northern hemisphere Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
He won man of the match on his Wallabies debut in London before the highlights slowed down a bit.
Suaalii played in the centres during the Spring Tour but Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has so far preferred him in the No.15 jersey.
"There were a couple of times when I was out of position, but other than that, I actually enjoyed being able to see the game from 15 and just being able to scan and see from a different perspective from centre," Suaalii said.
"But obviously, there a lot of things to work on.
"It's more running compared to centre, where you're tackling a little bit more. So, yeah, it was a lot of high speed running, so I still need to get the ks into my legs."
While all of the attention was on Suaalii, another Waratahs debutant stole the show with two late tries.
Suaalii expressed admiration for Siosifa Amone - the 22-year-old reserve prop who returned home to Sydney after kickstarting his professional career with two seasons in Perth with the Force.
Amone dropped 25kg in the preseason.
Siosifa Amone of the Waratahs celebrates the match winning try. Getty
"That was his moment," Suaalii said.
"He's been working hard since September last year. I think he came in overweight. He was pretty heavy, and he just worked every single day.
"You know that energy he brings towards a group, so it was good just to see someone like Sifa in our group, who is so vital to our group, score two tries and win us a game, so it was a special moment for our group...
"A win's a win, so you've got to take it – it's good for the mentals.
"I feel like it's just good going to the bye being able to relax, and then obviously there's a lot of work on from the game, but we're back on Wednesday and being able to just dissect that and then we're into playing the Fijian (Drua) team (on February 28 in Sydney)."
The Waratahs 'won' the wooden spoon last year.
