Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has likened his arrival at the Waratahs to ‘the first day at school’ and he’s already earnestly studying for his first Super Rugby examination next month.
Having made an immediate splash on the Wallabies’ northern tour late in 2024, Suaalii has joined last year’s Super Rugby wooden spooners for the new season.
While reflecting on his high-profile move from the Sydney Roosters last year, to being thrust straight into action at the first opportunity by Joe Schmidt against England, Suaalii revealed his homework focus since swapping codes.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Asked at a media conference on Thursday what his toughest transitions have been from league to union, Suaalii replied: “I’d say, just defensively, just where to be in different positions.
“Also, learning the plays. There’s a lot of set-piece attack and all of that, and lowering my tackle height. I know that’s a big thing in rugby. So that’s probably the three things I’ve been focusing on.
“But there’s a lot of things I’ve just been working at and just chipping away at.
“Honestly, I just want to be my best every day. Every time I step on the training field, it’s just about competing and just having that high standard to myself.”
Suaalii has garnered huge attention before and since his move to the XV-man game, but he says he’s not feeling the pressure of expectations ahead of his Super Rugby debut.
“I feel like I’ve been in the papers since I was 14 years old,” Suaalii said.
“At the start, it was actually exciting to see your name in the papers, and it starts to build a bit of pressure and expectations. But I put a lot of pressure on myself, and anything external, I don’t really let it faze me.
“It’s just been about sticking to the process of just getting better every day and just learning as much as I can.”
Having debuted in pro rugby under Joe Schmidt, Suaalii is now under the tutelage of Dan McKellar at the Tahs.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“Dan’s very detail-driven,” Suaalii observed. “He’s very intense in a great way for a group. Once you’re on a training paddock it’s just about giving it your all. And once Dan speaks, everyone listens. I can’t wait to have this couple of years learning off Dan.”
Suaalii gave little away when asked about his likely position with the Tahs.
“Wherever Dan wants me to play, I’m ready to play,” he said. “I’ll play centre, wing, fullback, flyhalf. I’ll play anywhere. I just love playing the game of rugby and anywhere I can fit on the field, I’m ready to go.”
That extends to goalkicking, with the new boy saying he wants to become the first choice back up to Tane Edmed from the tee.
Suaalii was praised for his professionalism by Wallabies veteran Nic White earlier this month – the Force No.9 noted Suaalii’s habit of turning off his phone in the lead up to games – and the youngster is clearly a conscientious student of his new sport.
He believes the key is “watching a lot of film.”
“The more I watch the game, the more I familiarise myself with the game,” said Suaalii.
“It just makes it easier for myself, so I’ve just got to keep on doing that. But I always do my extras on the field, in the weights room getting stronger, and then in the wrestling room practising my technique.
“I feel like you learn a lot of things once you’re in a professional environment.
“You see what the best players do and you implement it yourself.
“So I do try a lot of things, like diet, trying to stay off my phone quite a bit. That’s where most of the distraction goes.
“I just try to be present, talk to people and honestly just focus on what I want to do for the day instead of scrolling on different things on Instagram. It’s hard to stay away from it, but for myself to be at my best, I know I need to stay away from it.”
