Tougher than Twickenham: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s stunning claim after Super Rugby debut, plea for fullback role

As debate continues about where he’s best suited in rugby, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has revealed where he wants to settle long-term. Plus, his huge Super Rugby claim.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has urged NSW coach Dan McKellar to keep him at fullback long-term after his Super Rugby debut, which he described as more intense than the November internationals he played for the Wallabies.

Suaalii helped set up two tries in NSW’s thrilling 37-36 last-minute win over the Highlanders, and while he made a few errors trying to catch high balls and in defensive positioning, he showed the raw qualities to suggest he can follow the likes of Israel Folau and Matt Burke as great Tahs fullbacks.

The 21-year-old played all four Tests of the spring tour at outside centre, but enjoys the time and space he has with the ball from fullback and wants a long stint learning the position.

“Even just training, I’m just picking up little things from Andrew Kelleway and Jorgo (Max Jorgensen), and even (backs coach) Mike Catt, just everyone, even Dan,” Suaalii said.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii wants the Tahs fullback spot long-term. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“Just being able to learn off everyone. The more I play there, the more I’ll be comfortable.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there, but it was a couple of times where I was out of position and it was even just catching them high balls. I know I should be catching them all the time, so I’m pretty hard on myself, like I should be getting them, but it’s just something I need to work on at training.”

McKellar, however, believes Suaalii won’t necessarily need the No. 15 on his back to shine in his attack.

“I thought he was good, you’d like to see the ball in his hands more, he got into space a couple of times and looked dangerous, didn’t he?” McKellar said.

“So that’ll come, the more he learns his role within our attack.

“Everyone’s talking about is he a 13, is he a 15, is he a winger, the number is a number on your back in how we attack, so that will come, as it will come for Jorgo and Kels and others as well, but I thought overall like his effort and positional play at fullback was mostly pretty good.”

Suaalii, who came off in the 67th minute with cramp but has no injury concerns, understands he must learn the nuances of his new position.

“Just being behind the pod and getting the ball, being in different positions to get the ball,” Suaalii said.

“I feel like I’m just learning where to insert myself, how I can get the ball, even just kicking.

But this is the great thing about rugby, I feel like I’m loving just the aspect of growing my game.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii leaps for a high ball.

“I know I’m good in the air. I know I can kick. I know I can pass. I know I can run.

“But just building all the different aspects of my game.”

Incredibly, Suaalii felt the match against the Highlanders was tougher than facing England at Twickenham or Ireland in Dublin.

“I reckon the intensity was more here at Super Rugby, if I’m being quite honest,” he said.

“I was talking to Jake Gordon about it. Just ball in play, the contact. Those boys are ready to play, the Highlanders boys. I got hit a couple of times.

“It was good, it’s a high-level footy we’re playing here, especially against the Kiwi boys.

“It was great to get the win, and then it was great to see everyone’s family in the sheds just singing the team song and then being able to celebrate the milestone of making your debut for the Waratahs. I feel like it was just a great energy within the group.”

Taine Robinson brings Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s charge to a halt.

McKellar was delighted to notch his first win as Tahs coach, but will be laying down the law to his players after some second-half lapses including a try to Highlanders winger Caleb Tangitau off a quick lineout when many Tahs players were walking on the other side of the field.

“Obviously there was some patches in the second half where we just clocked off, like that try off the quick lineout, that’s just purely unacceptable at this level so we’ll knock that on the head really quick,” McKellar said.

“I thought our kicking game certainly put them under pressure and we’ll be better for it. We used Joseph well in that area and he had a really good contribution there and again he’ll be better for that as well.”

With a second round bye, the Tahs players will have an extended rest and regather for training on Wednesday.

Originally published as Tougher than Twickenham: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s stunning claim after Super Rugby debut, plea for fullback role