‘It was a whirlwind’: Suaalii benched as Schmidt reshuffles Wallabies team

Cardiff: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said a “whirlwind” fortnight for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, and a longer-than-expected debut at Twickenham, had been key factors in his decision to push the rugby recruit back to the bench for his second Test on Monday (3.10am, AEDT).

Suaalii wowed the rugby world in his first game for the Wallabies last weekend, but the 21-year-old was named on the bench for the clash against Wales in Cardiff. Samu Kerevi has been called into the side at No.12 and Len Ikitau moves back to No.13.

The swap was one of six changes to last week’s starting team as injuries forced reshuffles in several areas.

With Harry Wilson (concussion) and Taniela Tupou (knee) out, Allan Alaalatoa will captain the side as the starting tight-head, and halfback Nic White has also been recalled to start due to Jake Gordon suffering a nasty head cut against England.

Queensland back-rower Seru Uru won a call-up at blindside flanker for his second Test, while Max Jorgensen replaces the injured Dylan Pietsch on the left wing.

Giant lock Will Skelton will also play his first Test of the year, replacing Jeremy Williams, who is managing a niggling hip complaint.

However, it was the benching of Suaalii that will generate most debate, after the cross-code star shone on debut at Twickenham and earned the praise of world rugby fans and media.

Suaalii devoured the enormous pressure, but Schmidt said it had still played a role in his decision to give the 21-year-old a bench role this weekend against Wales.

“It was a whirlwind for Joseph last week, or the last two weeks, so for him to just be able to take a breath and watch a bit of the game and then enter the game, I think he’s a great opportunity to change it up a bit for us if required,” Schmidt said.

“Anyone who plays four consecutive Tests against the sort of ranked countries that we’re up against, I do think that’s a big challenge for anyone, and particularly playing the full 80 minutes.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii running against England at Twickenham.Credit: Getty Images

“There was only kind of half the plan last week, but then when ‘Pietschy’ came off, we couldn’t quite manage those minutes, and so we want to try to keep some balance there. And Samu [Kerevi] comes in for his 50th cap, so he’s a really experienced, combative player.”

Kerevi and Rob Valetini, who moves to No.8, will both play their 50th Tests this week.

The Japan-based Kerevi is playing his first Test since the 2023 World Cup, after not being used by Schmidt during the Rugby Championship. The big centre said there was now good depth developing in the Wallabies’ midfield.

“Su [Suaalii] and Lenny [Ikitau] played really well,” Kerevi said. “Lenny, he keeps telling him he doesn’t like playing at 12, but he played outstanding there. It creates depth for ourselves. We obviously still have Hunter [Paisami] that’s not here.”

Joseph Suaalii and Samu Kerevi at Wallabies training.Credit: Getty Images

Schmidt conceded making so many changes was not ideal after the Wallabies performed well at Twickenham, but he backed the squad’s depth and said the addition of experienced players such as Kerevi and Skelton would bolster the team.

“I’m confident that the guys coming in I know will be fully committed to doing the job and connecting with the guys who did the job last week,” he said.

“And I think to be able to strengthen the squad, you need everyone to be involved at some stage, and I’ve no doubt we’ll make more changes going into Scotland, and then Ireland on the back of a six-day turnaround.”

Australia beat Wales twice in the July series, and Warren Gatland and his team are under pressure after losing to Fiji last weekend. It was their 10th consecutive Test loss.

Joe Schmidt at Wallabies training.Credit: AP

But Schmidt said he had been pushing the Wallabies all week to not get lulled into a false, and dangerous, sense of security.

“This time last year, Wales put 40 points on the Wallabies, so it’s not like they’ve metamorphosed into a really bad team,” Schmidt said.

“It’s funny, I feel under more pressure than I was last week, because last week nobody expected us to win and suddenly when expectations shift, and you’re up against a team that are on a losing run, you’re expected to win.

“But it doesn’t actually mean anything in terms of the players running out and getting the job done.”

With the memory still fresh of a record defeat in Argentina, which came a week after a victory over the Pumas, Wallabies lock Nick Frost said consistency was a major goal of the Wallabies.

“We have had a tendency to have a really good game and not be as good the next one,” he said. “So, we have addressed that definitely within the group. Wales are a very dangerous team.”

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