New Wallabies playmaker Duncan Paia’aua set for showdown with Reds teammate Quade Cooper

TIPPED as a rising NRL star at the Broncos, Duncan Paia’aua now finds himself on the cusp of steering the Wallabies against a familiar foe.

Duncan Paia'aua at Wallabies training. Picture: Jonathan Ng

MARRYING his long-term sweetheart earlier this year has transformed his game, says Duncan Paia’aua, the man likely to wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey this weekend against the Barbarians.

The 22-year-old Kiwi-born playmaker is set to line up head-to-head with Reds teammate Quade Cooper, who will captain the BaaBaas at Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It has been quite the dramatic rise for Paia’aua from Queensland’s inside centre to Australia’s five-eigth for this clash, and an impressive outing could see him selected for the spring tour.

Duncan Paia'aua at Wallabies training. Picture: Jonathan Ng

And after a stop-start career since leaving the Brisbane Broncos under-20s league side and bursting onto the Super Rugby scene in 2015, Paia’aua credits his sterling 2017 to marrying wife Sunny Flynn seven months ago.

“I’ve been happy off the field, I thought too much about footy and didn’t concentrate on my outside life that much,” Paia’aua said.

“I connected a lot with my family and especially getting married to my wife this year, that’s been a big part of my growth and happiness this year.

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“I’ve just been taking that onto the field.

“I’m loving [being married], it’s been the best time of my life.”

Paia’aua’s battle against Cooper will make for compelling viewing, with both still signed for the Reds next year and likely resuming their midfield partnering with the youngster spending the season at inside centre this year.

“It will be a huge honour if I get called up to play in the gold jersey, it will be interesting to see how I go at No.10,” Paia’aua said.

Quade Cooper will line up for the BaaBaas against the Wallabies.

“I’ve learned a lot off Quade this year, especially playing outside him all year, I can take a bit of stuff out of his game that I’ve learned this year.

“If I go up against him this weekend we’ll know each others’ games but it’ll be fun.

“I haven’t received anything from him yet but closer to the game he’ll probably send me a text and try to get into my head, it will be a lot of fun.

“Now that I’m here, I think the goal is now fighting for a spot to get onto that spring tour.

“Hopefully I get a cap for the Wallabies, that’s the ultimate goal for myself.”

Paia’aua has a big fan in Wallabies coach Michael Cheika already, but understands he must be a commanding voice in the team on Saturday.

“If I’m going to be in contention to play No.10 I’m going to have to be leading the way, controlling the ship,” he said.

“I’ll have to be ordering the boys around, I really have to know my stuff even though I’m new.”

Originally published as New Wallabies playmaker Duncan Paia’aua set for showdown with Reds teammate Quade Cooper