mens
international
Les Kiss believes the Wallabies can “pretty easily” use Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as an option either at center or on the wing, with the 23-year-old making his first start in the No.11 jersey in the 42-38 win over the Springboks.
Suaali has been used almost exclusively as an outside center by the national team, starting in that role in all but two appearances before last weekend’s Test. ‘Su’ came off the bench twice, including a 15-minute shift in the six-point win Argentina August 30th.
As the Wallabies eyed a clash with world champions the Springboks, Kiss made a huge call by switching Suaali to the wing. Suaalii has not played the role before for either club or country, but the dual international has had an immediate impact.
Suaalii rose the most to claim the ball after the opening kick but was penalized moments later after going to ground. The utility full-back set up two tries later in the half after winning another duel in the air and setting up outside center Len Ikitau.
But Kiss has not committed to keeping Suaalii on the wing moving forward, suggesting the Wallaby could potentially line up at center or fullback as well. However, Ikitau went off injured against the Boks, with Hunter Paisami cited for the incident in the final five minutes.
“It’s there for us. I can play it at 15,” Kiss said.
“I think he found some good spaces tonight; we could have gotten him into better spaces at times, but it fit their plan with the air battle.
“The running three was pretty good tonight, but we can use him with 13 and a pretty ready wing now.”
Suaalii linked up with NSW Waratahs teammate Max Jorgensen and Wallabies regular Tom Wright in the trio with a new look. Jorgensen scored a try and led the match with a high number of carries and total running metres.
Wright won the man of the match award after an outstanding display at fullback, more than a year after suffering a season-ending injury against the Boks in South Africa. Number 15 ran more than 45 meters and showed an effective kicking game.
“Joe did his thing, didn’t he? And then we moved him to 13, which is a great thing that we’re trying to work on and being able to adjust our positions in certain ways and get some depth in our combinations,” Kiss explained.
“It was a back three, it wasn’t just ‘Su’. I thought Wright, I think that’s his best game that he’s had for four or five games, and he’s been imperious at times.”
“Jorgo is Jorgo. That boy only knows one way to set his mindset. Nothing seems to faze the boy and the quality to go through and finish that try is pretty special tonight.”