A stellar performance from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii not enough to prevent a disastrous second-half fade out by the Waratahs

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii produced a performance Rugby Australia officials hoped he’d bring when he signed from rugby league, but it was an otherwise diabolical day for the Waratahs in New Zealand.

A DIABOLICAL second half performance saw the Waratahs blow a 21-7 lead to be hammered 45-28 by Moana Pasifika.

Moana took the lead for the first time in the 65th minute, but through a tidal wave of breathtaking attack they tore shreds off the Tahs defence.

This is a bitter lesson for NSW, who should have capitalised on their 21-7 half-time lead, and even when they went ahead 28-19 in the 58th minute.

The Pasifika team blitzed their rivals with 19 points in eight minutes, including three tries, to completely turn the tide in the game in the final 20 minutes.

A stellar performance from NSW fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who played a role in four of the Tahs’ tries, was not enough to jag what would have been an important win in North Harbour.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii playing his part in defence for the Waratahs. Picture: Dave Rowland/Getty Images

A hat-trick from Moana tight-head prop Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou kept his side in the game, before tries from playmaker Patrick Pellegrini, fullback William Havili and replacement back Fine Inisi ensured a famous comeback win.

Backrower Semisi Tupou Taeiloa cemented the win by crashing through four tacklers to score a try in the 77th minute.

“Either they had the special juice at half-time, or we stayed in the sheds at half-time,” dejected NSW captain Hugh Sinclair said.

The Tahs are now vulnerable following back-to-back defeats – they lost 57-12 to the Hurricanes in round seven – and the toughest test awaits next Friday night when they host ladder leaders the Chiefs.

It appeared NSW had learned their lessons from Wellington with a strong start, as Suaalii set up winger Triston Reilly for the opening two tries.

The speed from these two 🥵

This link-up play from Suaalii and Reilly leads to the @NSWWaratahs second for the match 💪#SuperRugbyPacific#MOAvWARpic.twitter.com/uv5VHB4dRv

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 5, 2025

But their inexplicable second half effort will give coach Dan McKellar some selection headaches now.

NSW took the lead courtesy of a fifth minute try to Reilly, from a looping pass by Suaalii.

That came after an against the grain break by halfback Teddy Wilson from a wayward Moana lineout throw.

Suaalii then sparked a 90-metre try in the 23rd minute, taking the ball on the short side from a defensive scrum, gliding past halfback Jonathan Taumateine and Pellegrini before passing to a free Reilly who was untouched in his stroll to the line.

It was just the type of magic Rugby Australia officials hoped he’d bring when he signed from the Sydney Roosters.

Suaalii chilling before a stellar performance all Waratahs’ fans would have been hoping from the million-dollar signing. Picture: Dave Rowland/Getty Images

But Moana did hit back in the 33rd minute when Sae-Ta’ufo’ou barged over from close range, captilising on a destructive run from skipper Ardie Savea who had five tacklers pulling him down close to the line.

Three minutes into added time before the break, Tahs winger Andrew Kellaway scored in the corner – with Suaalii running decoy, allowing playmaker Lawson Creighton to throw a cut-out to his unmarked winger – to hand NSW a 14-point buffer at the break.

Sae-Ta’ufo’ou scored in the 44th and 52nd minutes to complete his hat-trick, before Wilson extended NSW’s lead.

He came in like a wrecking ball 🎵

Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou finishing off what Ardie Savea started 💪#SuperRugbyPacific#MOAvWARpic.twitter.com/LaGtUsSgsX

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 5, 2025

Suaalii set up the try, running between two defenders and managing an inside offload that bounced up into his halfback’s hands.

Wilson was able to outsprint the cover defence to give his side a more comfortable 28-19 lead.

That lasted all of 90 seconds, as Moana’s fullback Havili inspired a wonderful try for the home team.

Havili ducked under a tackle to break through in midfield, quickly assessed his options and grubbered in between Suaalii and Creighton.

Pellegrini was on hand to regather the ball over the line, and converted his own try to bring Moana back to 28-26.

In the 65th minute, Moana took the lead for the first time in the match with a try to Havili, before Inisi extended the lead to 36-28 by finishing a sweeping break by Savea to cross in the corner via a grubber from Jackson Garden-Bachop.

The Tahs defence requires a stern examination after conceding 102 points in the past two games.

Originally published as A stellar performance from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii not enough to prevent a disastrous second-half fade out by the Waratahs