Wallabies bite the bullet with overdue Suaalii switch
Updated . First published at
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii might have been showered in praise by the Springboks this week, but Les Kiss has bitten the bullet and is set to name Australian rugby’s $5 million man on the wing for the Wallabies for the first time.
Despite Kiss previously saying he saw Suaalii as a centre, nine.com.au understands the code-hopper will be named on the wing for Sunday’s crunch Test against the world champions in Perth.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in action against Argentina. Getty Images
It will be the first time the 23-year-old will have been named in the outside backs for the Wallabies, having previously started in the No.13 jersey in 21 of his 23 Tests.
In the other two Tests, Suaalii came off the bench.
It’s understood the 196cm, 100kg back will form a back three trio alongside Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright.
Suaalii’s shift to the outside backs is expected to see Hunter Paisami return at inside centre, with Len Ikitau understood to be his midfield partner.
It’s the first time the duo will have started together since Dave Rennie named the pair to start against Ireland in Dublin on November 20, 2022.
Elsewhere in the backline, it’s believed Ben Donaldson will once again wear the No.10, having returned to the position for the Wallabies’ 28-all draw against Argentina in Mendoza.
His retention comes after regular first-choice playmaker Carter Gordon fractured his fibula during the draw in Argentina.
But perhaps the biggest gamble is on the bench, with Kiss expected to go in with a forwards-heavy 6-2 bench split, which will see Harry Potter named in the No.23 jersey.
It means that Kiss has opted against including a specialist playmaker on his bench, with neither Declan Meredith nor uncapped playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips included.
Halfback Ryan Lonergan and Paisami, who spent time in the No.10 jersey as a teenager, are believed to be cover in the role should anything happen to Donaldson.
After a roller-coaster career to date in the gold jersey for Donaldson, the Test looms as a potentially career-defining moment for the Force playmaker, especially with Tom Lynagh recently making his comeback for the Reds and veterans Bernard Foley and James O’Connor, as well as Japan-based Noah Lolesio, waiting in the wings.
The forward pack is expected to be close to full strength, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to provide some impact off the bench.
Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano could also feature off the bench in a match which is expected to go up in speed in the second half, especially after masterful Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus named a bomb squad of epic proportion by including Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw and Jasper Wiese, who all featured prominently for the world champions in their 3-1 series win over the All Blacks, as replacements.
Despite Erasmus naming his side on Tuesday night, Kiss will confirm his team on Friday afternoon as the Wallabies' new coach bids to keep his five-match unbeaten streak alive since replacing Joe Schmidt.
Suaalii’s inclusion on the wing has long been called for and his presence on the wing should help Australia in the aerial contest against the Springboks, who have the athletic and aerial star Ethan Hooker out wide.
Wallabies great Lote Tuqiri, who featured on the wing in the 2003 World Cup final and climbed high to score the only try of the match, believes Suaalii should be let loose out wide to “fly.”
Morgan Turinui is another who has called for Suaalii to move to the outside backs.
“I never want to see Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii play 13 again,” Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts recently.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is returning to the Wallabies squad. Getty Images
“His skill set has to be in the back three.”
Others, including double World Cup-winning Springboks outside centre Jesse Kriel, disagree.
“He’s an incredible athlete, what a great addition for world rugby that he’s come over and made the switch,” said Kriel, who will be wrapped in cotton wool against the Wallabies after a big month.
“I don’t think the media over here give him enough credit. I think people are quick to point fingers, but he’s probably playing in the position that’s defensively the most difficult position on the field, and he’s made that transition seamlessly.
“And then when he’s got the ball, he’s a whole bag of tricks. He’s so quick. He’s got incredible ability to win balls in the air, and he nearly just jumps higher than everyone else.
“I think he’s been really, really good. He’s one of the tougher centres you come up against, and hopefully if I get the opportunity, it’ll be really good to go up against him next weekend.”
While Erasmus has rested several of his big names, including captain Siya Kolisi, the Springboks coach said he expected his wider squad to take the opportunity presented after waiting patiently in the wings for a chance.
Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks have been staying on the Central Coast this week. Getty Images
“There’s always a balance, I know, from fans, from the media, from supporters, from everybody to understand, guys, are we building to the World Cup or are we trying to win between World Cups? Now, we’re trying to do both of them. And sometimes you have to roll the dice,” he said.
“We rolled the dice a little bit against (the) All Blacks. We were playing consistently the same team and obviously getting some momentum as it goes on longer.
“But if we keep on doing that, when we get to the Nations Championship at the end of the year or at the World Cup next year, what can the next guy do?
“When we went to Argentina, a lot of these guys also played there, and it was a bit of a stop-starter and a non-cohesive performance.
“So I don’t think they’re going to fire from the start, but I can tell you that they’re really hungry. They really want to play, and they’ve been idling for a hell of a long time.”
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