Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stars to spark shock win over Chiefs and lift Waratahs into Super Rugby top four

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii delivered a five-star performance as the Waratahs shocked the Chiefs in a dramatic Super Rugby clash that had a bit of everything.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and his Waratahs teammate celebrate victory over the Chiefs. Picture: Getty Images

With Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii rapidly repaying off his $5 million price tag, perhaps it’s time rugby’s leaders reinvest their savings in a home entertainment system without the needless stoppages.

While this is starting to sound like an old broken record, the best Super Rugby season in years continues to be undermined by some of the most head-scratching rulings imaginable.

For sheer drama, the Waratahs’ 21-14 win over the Chiefs at Allianz Stadium on Friday night was still the game of the season because it had a bit of everything, including a dramatic finish that was in no small part due to the officiating.

Suaalii delivered a five-star performance, underpinned by his first try in professional rugby, and a key role in the most spectacular try of the year, with the Waratahs running the ball from behind their own tryline and going the length of the field to score at the other end.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scores a try against the Chiefs

The NRL convert is a bona fide superstar in the global game and he sent the crowd bananas, briefly allowing the NSW faithful to forget for a moment how often the Waratahs let down their loyal supporters just whenever they start believing in them again.

They almost did it against the Chiefs, who lost their spot at the top of the ladder with just their second defeat of the season, though this time it wasn’t entirely the fault of the men wearing blue.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and his Waratahs teammates celebrate victory against the Chiefs. Picture: Getty Images

It was also the officials who kept the Chiefs in the contest with a string of baffling decisions that had both sets of fans wondering what was going on.

The first contentious ruling came from the TMO who spent an eternity trying to find fault in Lalakai Foketi’s acrobatic try in the corner. The official eventually ruled out the try, deeming Foketi had simultaneously placed the ball on the in goal sideline, though no-one else saw it despite countless replays.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is living up to his $5 million price tag. Picture: Getty Images

Moments later, the New Zealanders were somehow allowed to keep a try scored off a blatant forward pass that the same pedantic officials waved through without a second thought.

Worse still, Gideon Wrampling avoided a red card after a high shot on Suaalii, while the Waratahs were pinged time and time again for every indiscretion.

NSW lost the penalty count 18-5 and spent the last five minutes defending their line with 14 men against 30 phases from the Chiefs.

But they held on to snap an eight-game losing streak against the Chiefs to remain undefeated at home this season and climb to fourth on the ladder with Suaalii earning rave reviews.

“Geez, Suaalii is some player,” Waratahs captain Hugh Sinclair said.

“He does some special things.”

Delighted by his team’s gutsy win, Suaalii wouldn’t take any credit for the result.

“I wouldn’t say I’m dominating. I’m just enjoying playing rugby and life.

“I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can.

“There’s a lot of things I’ve got to work on, I’m still not happy with my game so I’ll go back to the drawing board.”