Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii wasn’t expecting to be named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, with the NSW Waratahs fullback selected ahead of Tom Wright from the Brumbies and Crusaders flyer Will Jordan.
Suaalii debuted in the sky blue jersey in the Waratahs’ opening-round win over the Highlanders at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, but the code-hooper spent a decent stint on the sidelines with a foot injury, returning in round seven against the Hurricanes.
Tahs coach Tah McKellar selected Suaalii at outside centre for that clash with the Canes in New Zealand’s windy capital, before moving the four-Test Wallaby to fullback for the next five matches – but that’s when disaster struck once again.
Suaalii was carted off the field on a stretcher 37 minutes into the Tahs’ loss to the Reds in round 13, which was later confirmed to be a fractured jaw. After playing about 500 minutes for the Tahs across the season, Suaalii was recently named in Super Rugby’s official Team of the Year.
Former Wallaby Cameron Shepherd said the “big question mark” from that side was Suaalii at fullback, and we now know the man himself also “didn’t see it coming.” The Team of the Year was made up of the best players in each position as per the Player of the Year vote.
“To be honest, I didn’t see it coming,” Suaalii told reporters at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
“I thought Tom Wright and Will Jordan, they really played well at fullback.
“I didn’t play much footy this year but obviously, it’s always a good milestone to get.
“I feel like there were great fullbacks that were playing.”
About one month out from that unfortunate injury sustained against the Reds, Suaalii was all smiles on Wednesday while sporting the Wallabies’ jersey for the highly anticipated Lions Series.
Fans can sleep easy knowing that Rugby Australia’s multi-million dollar recruit is feeling good ahead of those three Tests against the British & Irish Lions, saying he is about “97 per cent” recovered, having had surgery about three weeks ago.
Suaalii has played State of Origin for New South Wales and a Rugby League World Cup Final for Samoa, but nothing tops a Lions Series. It’s been 12 years since the Lions last toured Australia, so the significance of this occasion isn’t lost on Suaalii.
“These are the biggest games of my life, I believe,” Suaalii reflected.
“You don’t get to play against the Lions [often], some people play it once in your career.
“It happens every 12 years so I believe it’s going to be the biggest games of my life.
“I think the whole leadup to it, the excitement, the crowd, just managing my energy levels throughout the week because you can get very excited,” he added later.
“It happens every 12 years these Tests and we’re [also] playing against Fiji, I think that’s just so exciting in itself.
“It’s just bringing it back to you’re playing the game of rugby and keeping your feet on the ground and just enjoying every moment.”
