Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii named at fullback for Waratahs debut in Super Rugby opener
After missing NSW’s final trial match against the Brumbies a fortnight ago, Super Rugby’s highest-profile recruit has been given a positional switch for his Waratahs debut.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start at fullback in his Super Rugby debut as part of a star-studded NSW Waratahs team featuring 12 Wallabies.
After missing NSW’s final trial match against the Brumbies a fortnight ago with a knee injury, rugby’s $5 million man is fit and firing for his hotly-anticipated first match in the blue jersey against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
New Tahs coach Dan McKellar had selected Suaalii to play fullback in the trial match at Bowral before Suaalii withdrew on the morning of the game, and the former NRL Roosters centre will take the same jersey once held be fellow code-hopper and friend, Israel Folau.
While Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt selected Suaalii at outside centre in his Wallabies games on the spring tour late last year, his move to fullback for the Tahs throws open the positional battles in the Australian backline for the looming British & Irish Lions tour in July.
There are seven new players for the Tahs in the round one fixture.
Along with Suaalii, representing NSW for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific are: prop Taniela Tupou, flanker Rob Leota, prop Siosifa Amone, second rower Ben Grant, English backrower Jamie Adamson and winger Darby Lancaster.
Tupou, Leota and Lancaster have joined the Tahs from the Melbourne Rebels.
Amone has come from the Western Force, Grant from the Hurricanes and Adamson from the ranks of Shute Shield rugby at Eastern Suburbs.
There are 11 Wallabies in the starting XV; Suaalii, Tupou, Leota and Lancaster, prop Angus Bell, hooker David Porecki, No 8. Langi Gleeson, scrumhalf and captain Jake Gordon, flyhalf Tane Edmed, outside centre Lalakai Foketi and wingers Max Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway, while Lancaster is on the bench as back-three cover.
After the Tahs claimed the wooden spoon last year, hopes are high with this impressive new roster that they can make a charge for the finals.
“I spoke to the players about the fact we’ve got seven debutants (in the side), a head coach on debut, as well as a number of assistant coaches and staff,” McKellar said.
“It’s an exciting time for the NSW Waratahs, as we embark on a new journey for the organisation.”
McKellar said the team selected was “probably the hardest one I had to pick”.
“It was so competitive, we’ve got all but three players available for selection,” McKellar said.
“A number have been with us the whole time. A number have been with us for three weeks.
“After all the work by the ‘S and C (strength and conditioning), medical groups and other coaches, to have most players available for selection made it difficult.
“That’s what you want. You want to have to make the tough decisions. And we’re confident we’ve picked a team that’s ready to perform well on Friday.”
McKellar said his selections were partly to get a team suited to play the Highlanders, but also build season-long combinations.
“I think we’ll just keep the team we think are the players who have earned the opportunity, and then you look closely at, ‘does the makeup suit what’s required to beat a good Highlanders side?’” he said.
“It’s off the back of training performance and trial performance. There’s been tough decisions to leave out quality young men who are good rugby players.
”Hopefully the weather’s kind (on Friday), we get a good turn up at Allianz Stadium, and put in a performance our supporters, families and friends can be proud of.”
Skipper Jake Gordon and five-eighth Tane Edmed resume their halves partnership, while Joey Walton and Lalakai Foketi form the midfield.
The all-Wallabies front row will be backed by the lock pairing of High Sinclair and Miles Amatosero, while the aggressive backrow should put plenty of pressure on the Highlanders’ breakdown.
NSW Waratahs
1. Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. David Porecki (Manly)
3. Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
4. Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
5. Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
7. Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Langi Gleeson (Manly)
9. Jake Gordon – captain (Sydney University)
10. Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
11. Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
12. Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Lalakai Foketi ((Manly)
14. Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
15. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Reserves:
16. Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Siosifa Amone (Northern Suburbs)
19. Ben Grant (Sydney University)
20. Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs)
21. Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
23. Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
Highlanders:
1. Ethan de Groot
2. Soane Mikaele Vikena (Highlanders Debut)
3. Saula Ma’u
4. Fabian Holland
5. Mitch Dunshea
6. Lui Naeata (Super Rugby Pacific Debut)
7. Sean Withy
8. Hugh Renton (co-captain)
9. Nathan Hastie
10. Taine Robinson (Highlanders Debut)
11. Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders Debut)
12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain)
13. Tanielu Tele’a
14. Michael Manson (Super Rugby Pacific Debut)
15. Sam Gilbert
Reserves:
16. Henry Bell
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Sefo Kautai (Highlanders Debut)
19. Nikora Broughton
20. Veveni Lasaqa (Highlanders Debut)
21. Folau Fakatava
22. Cameron Millar
23. Finn Hurley
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