Israel Folau’s battle with George North was one of the enduring memories of the 2013 series on Australian shores – and if Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii can do anything like his fellow code-hopper did 12 years ago, the Wallabies will be better for it.
But Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt also delivered a subtle message to the nation’s most recognisable star about not trying to overplay his hand on Saturday night in the opening Lions Test in Brisbane.
“I’ve watched that replay a few times,” said Schmidt after being asked if Suaalii could replicate Folau’s 2013 heroics. “I’d love to see that.
“I think Joe is still finding his feet. But he’s a very, very good athlete. If athletes like that can be brought into the game, and obviously we’d love to get them in the game early.
“One of the things I thought he did really well when he first came in and played his first Test match is he facilitated opportunity for others as well. I think that’s the mark of an unselfish player, but also a player who is able to athletically contribute individually and complement teammates around him.”
After being a household name on the Australian Eastern Seaboard as a teenager, Suaalii, 21, burst onto the global stage last November as he stunned a packed house at Twickenham.
His marvellous debut in the midfield against Steve Borthwick’s men was one of the key reasons the Wallabies snapped their decade-long drought in London.
The athletic back dominated the aerial battle, especially from the many kick restarts on a high-octane English autumn afternoon, but he also sucked in players and created space for his teammates.
That was especially the case early on as his no-look one-handed basketball pass helped send Tom Wright away for the Wallabies’ important hit back after England exploded out of the blocks.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii burst onto the international stage against England at Twickenham on November 9, 2024. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Since wowing the world, Suaalii hasn’t quite been as destructive in a gold jersey in his previous four Tests, with the Wallabies back being somewhat starved of space and time.
Against Fiji earlier this month, the Wallabies made an interesting decision, opting not to kick to Suaalii from kick restarts and in general play. For some, it was a case of not trying to show the Lions many pictures of what was to come.
But, as he did regularly during his debut Super Rugby season for the Waratahs, where he played fullback, Suaalii also opted to take the ball into contact rather than feed his teammates.
That decision-making was on display in the 11th minute against Fiji, as Fraser McReight fed Suaalii with a cut-out pass on his 22-metre line.
Despite a three-on-two overlap following the lineout steal from Jeremy Williams, Suaalii saw a retreating defensive line and backed himself.
It proved to be the wrong decision as Suaalii stepped back off his right foot into contact and lost possession a split second later.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is smoked in contact by Josua Tuisova during the second half of the Wallabies’ nail-biting win over Fiji on July 06, 2025 in Newcastle. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Schmidt would have been impressed with his star’s hands in the 39th minute as Suaalii helped put the finishing touches on a well-worked backline play that saw McReight score out wide. It came after a lovely inside pass at the line from Langi Gleeson helped Harry Wilson find some space in the middle of the Fijians.
Suaalii was otherwise kept quiet by the Fijians, including massive centre Josua Tuisova, who put his opposing midfielder on his back in the second half.
The Lions will undoubtedly recognise the threat of Suaalii in Brisbane – and time and space might well be hard to come by.
But Schmidt will also believe that it could be a case that less is more for Suaalii against the Lions, with his mere presence able to attract numbers around the ball.
Christy Doranhttps://https://ift.tt/rWb5VYM crucial hidden message from Schmidt to Suaalii ahead of Lions opener
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