Offloads and intercepts. Tap-backs and flying leaps. Try-saving tackles and miracle balls. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s Wallabies debut last November was a revelation. Six weeks before, the 21-year-old had been playing rugby league, waiting to light the fuse on the richest contract in Australian rugby history. Now he was at Twickenham, the game’s spiritual home, putting England to the sword – and his name up in lights.
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper hailed the man-of-the-match showing as “sheer talent … X factor you can’t train: the ability to create a try out of absolutely nothing”. Teammate Tom Wright, who scored that day from a Suaalii basketball pass, more recently marvelled at the kid’s skills. “His talent is probably second to none in the group,” he said. “Pair that with his work ethic, it’s impressive.” Best of all, said Wright, Suaalii unifies and inspires. “Joseph gets the most out of all of us.”
