Wallabies utility back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is optimistic about his recent positional switch and feels it will help him to improve as a player.
The 23-year-old and his team-mates are licking their wounds after suffering a 50-19 defeat against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland and will be keen to bounce back in the rematch at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.
After playing exclusively as an outside centre for Australia in 24 successive Tests, Suaalii was shifted to the left wing for the Wallabies’ clash against the Springboks in Perth at the end of last month and he also lined up in his new position against the All Blacks.
Had to move to centre in previous two Tests
However, he finished both those games in midfield due to injuries to Len Ikitau.
With Ikitau (concussion), Hunter Paisami (suspension), and Jordan Petaia (ankle) all ruled out of this weekend’s clash against New Zealand, Suaalii could line up in the centres once again.
The former rugby league star has also featured regularly at full-back for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific and he believes his versatility could be beneficial for the Wallabies.
“It’s a different part of my journey of learning to be a great rugby player to learn different positions, but I’m enjoying it,” Suaalii told reporters in Sydney.
“I’ve probably only had 70 minutes or so on the wing [between the two games] but I’m enjoying it. Seeing the game from a different perspective helps me be a better centre, a better full-back, a better 12 (inside centre).”
Like the rest of his team-mates, Suaalii is highly motivated to deliver a much-improved performance when they take on the All Blacks on home soil on Saturday.
That was the first time the Wallabies tasted defeat under the guidance of their new head coach, Les Kiss, and Suaalii said Australia’s players are determined to bounce back against New Zealand, who are currently on a 12-match winning streak in this fixture.
“For myself, I know there’s a belief in the group that we work hard and we reviewed the game brutally and honestly as well,” he explained.
“We can just sit here and talk about the last week we had against the All Blacks, but we had great momentum going from those games against Argentina, great wins against Italy and Japan.
‘There’s a bigger plan to what we’re doing’
“For us, it’s not just looking at last week and keeping focused on last week, there’s a bigger plan to what we’re doing.
“For us as a crew, I’m real confident that this week will be great.”
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Suaalii also reflected on his career with the Wallabies after making a stunning Test debut against England at Twickenham in 2024 following his switch from rugby league.
“I think I’ve put on the Australian jersey now around 27-28 times. Every single time I still get that first time feeling of putting the jersey on,” he revealed.
“It’s a privilege to play for this country and to play for the Wallabies. To go against the All Blacks, I think that’s the biggest rivalry… I get to live out the dream I’ve always wanted since I was a kid.
“I’m really enjoying the travel and rugby. [It was] challenging over the weekend, but we’ll bounce back and be great this weekend.”
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