Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii: I've learned from Origin red card ahead of Lions Test
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has learned his lesson when it comes to rising red mist, and vowed to keep his cool if he is baited by Lions rival Sione Tuipulotu.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has vowed not to become overemotional and make the same mistake that saw him get sent off in the State of Origin opener last year, if he is baited by Lions rival Sione Tuipulotu.
Suaalii and Tuipulotu had a frantic and heated battle when the Wallabies played Scotland last November, and the pair are set to collide in the opening Test on Saturday at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
But Suaalii knows the pitfalls of getting too aggressive if pushed, as his brief cameo for the NSW Blues proved, when he was sent off after seven minutes following a high shot on Reece Walsh.
“The biggest thing I learned was my off-field, the way I was leading into that week,” Suaalii said of his Origin regret.
“It taught me a lot about myself. Leading into these big games is just about being neutral. Not being too high or too low. Not playing the game before playing it.
“I think that was my biggest lesson from that game. Obviously these games are going to be big. But we’re just focused on today’s training session leading into the game on Saturday. Just really keeping it neutral.”
Tuipulotu recently said he is keen to reignite his battle with Suaalii, but both are reluctant to throw more fuel on what is potentially a raging fire in the opening Test, with Suaalii taken off injured at Murrayfield after coming off second best trying to put a big shot on the Scottish centre, who viciously verballed the 21-year-old.
Suaalii turned and pointed to Tuipulotu and said: “I’ll see you next time”.
“Once you do things on the footy field, you keep it on the footy field,” Suaalii said on Monday.
“I’m ready to go. I’m ready to play. Not too much to say about that.
“I always focus on myself first before I put my energy into someone else. Obviously there’s fans who want to see a rivalry and all that, but at the end of the day it’s a team sport.
“I’m just trying to do the best for the team.
“I feel like there’s been a lot of talk around that moment. But at the end of the day, it’s a game of footy. Whatever’s said on the field stays on the field.
“Who knows what team they’re going to pick, but whoever they’re going to pick, I’m ready to go.
“Honestly, like I said, whatever’s said on the field stays on the field.
“I’m just focused on what I can do for the team. That’s it. I’m not going to speak on it, to be fair.
“I’m a big believer as well that whatever’s still on the field stays on the field. I’m sure it’s going to be a great time and great battle.”
Given the injury to Garry Ringrose that has ruled the Irishman out of the first Test, Tuipulotu looms as the likely No. 12 to partner fellow Scot Huw Jones in the Lions midfield.
Suaalii is expected to retain his centre partnership with Len Ikitau, setting up one of the most anticipated one-on-one showdowns in Lions vs Australia history.
Meanwhile, Suaalii revealed that while he is keen to experience the Lions series, he also misses rugby league.
“Yeah, 100 per cent, I miss playing for the Sydney Roosters and playing in the Blues,” Suaalii said.
“I do miss it but at the same time I’m loving where I am right now. I love playing for the Waratahs and the Wallabies.”
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