Enjoyment and familiarity the keys to centre Hunter Paisami’s Wallabies return

Queensland star Hunter Paisami has embraced his return to the Wallabies team after a lengthy absence.

Hunter Paisami is ‘enjoying’ his football again. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Bustling centre Hunter Paisami’s return to the Wallabies squad has been made easier by the similarities in the styles of national coach Joe Schmidt and his Queensland mentor Les Kiss.

Having not represented Australia since November 2022, Paisami made in Wallabies return in last Saturday’s 25-16 win over Wales in Sydney.

Helping the Reds star in his bid to secure a permanent spot in Australia’s backline is a smooth transition from Queensland to Wallabies duties and expectations.

“From the Reds to the Wallabies, I find (respective coaches) Les and Joe very similar,” Paisami explained.

“Joe loves his little cross-field kicks. He wants the ball to get there ASAP so that was part of our game plan but we’ve got to pick the right moments when to do that.”

“If I can get my prep right during the week I can go out there and do my job for the team, and be myself on the field.”

Hunter Paisami (centre) made a successful return to the Wallabies team last Saturday. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Paisami has relished his football this year after the disappointment of missing selection in the Wallabies squad for last year’s Rugby World Cup.

“This is the year that I enjoyed my footy the most and that’s down to the way Les and his crew at Ballymore bought into the environment,” he said.

“Missing the World Cup was disappointing but for me, the biggest thing is just to enjoy (myself) and have fun.”

Paisami is intent on starting in back-to-back Tests by keeping his spot for this Saturday night’s return battle between the Wallabies and Wales at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

“It’s a goal of mine each week (to retain that jersey),” said Paisami, who was also helpful his fellow Reds centre Josh Flook would also start for the second Test in succession.

“Flooky’s bee good. He makes my job a lot easier on the field, It’s good to have Flooky beside me.”

The Wallabies are hopeful of securing two wins in succession for the time since 2021 when they won five consecutive Tests.

Melbourne product and No.8 Rob Valetini said: “You think back to old Wallabies teams, we haven’t won back-to-back games that many times.

“It’s all about just knowing that we’ve got another job to do, moving on from the weekend and training this week.

“(There’s) a lot of confidence in the group knowing this is our third week together and knowing that we could put a performance out like that on Saturday, (and) a lot of confidence in the group knowing that we can still build.”

Originally published as Enjoyment and familiarity the keys to centre Hunter Paisami’s Wallabies return