Rugby is a funny old sport: 15 players of all different shapes and sizes working together to get one up on the opposition. It’s a sport where hard work is rewarded on the field, but not always recognised from the grandstand.
To stand out in a match a player needs to go above and beyond their role during the game. Props have to win scrum penalties, locks consistent at lineout time, the back row needs to have dominant carries and be a nuisance at the ruck, halfbacks have to pass and communicate well, flyhalves must game manage and kick crisply, the centres need to carry and defend with a bit of mongrel.
And then there’s the back three.
They are more often than not the flashiest players on the field from a pure spectacle point of view. They’re the game breakers, highlight makers, rugby’s version of the Showtime Lakers. Alright, enough rapping.
To play one of these positions at the highest level you have to possess a number of skills – raw speed, high vertical, great kicking in hand, game IQ the list goes on. Most tier 1 nations have an outstanding back three – South Africa or New Zealand being the top of the pile.
As a Wallabies fan, it pains me to say that our back three from what I’ve seen this year is solid at best. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
We have three potential world-class players waiting to be wedded together to form the ultimate Wallabies back three: Tom Wright, Corey Toole, and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. All three possess genuine world-class talent and together would form a lethal trio on the field. But why?
Each player provides a unique point of difference not seen in a Wallabies backline for quite some time now. So, I’ve taken the liberty below to detail each player’s point of difference, things to work on to become a top international player, a world-class player comparison, their playing style, and finally, I’ve outlined which other Wallabies they’ll be competing against for their position.
Tom Wright
Point of difference: Sensational footwork and a line break specialist
Work-ons: Decision-making
Player Comparison: Will Jordan
Player style: Wright uses his dazzling footwork to beat one-on-one defenders, combined with his top-end speed he’s got all the right attributes of a world-class fullback. His vision and decision-making have vastly improved in 2024. However, he’s still susceptible to one or two brain fades a game, but there’s no denying he’s on the verge of becoming one of the best fullbacks in the world.
Tom Wright (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Wallabies position competitor: Depending on where Joe Schmidt plays Suaalii, he could potentially be vying for Tom Wright’s spot at fullback in the near future. However, Andrew Kellaway, while mostly playing on the wing this year is probably Wright’s biggest threat to his position currently.
Kels has always been reliable in the 15 jersey, but Wright’s X-factor is what sets him apart and he’s our long-term option at fullback.
Corey Toole
Point of difference: Olympic-level acceleration and speed
Work-ons: Defence
Player Comparison: Cheslin Kolbe
Player style: Toole might just be the fastest man in rugby. While I don’t have stats to back this statement up you cannot deny his god-given pace.
He uses his acceleration and speed to leave defenders in the dust and has a real knack for the try line. It’s his defence and size that has Schmidt reluctant to use the paceman. If he can prove to Schmidt he can hold his own out there on the wing, Toole will be a real weapon in attack for our men in gold.
Wallabies position competitor: The wing may be the most competitive position in the squad. We’ve seen a lot of different combinations on the edges this year with fantastic knocks from Filipo Daugunu, Kellaway, and Dylan Pietsch, to name a few.
While each of these men brings a special package on the field, I would love to see Corey Toole get a crack on the wing. If Toole can unleash his physicality the way pocket-rocket Cheslin Kolbe does for the Springboks, he’ll be a real danger man for Australia.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Point of difference: Size, athletically gifted, kicking
Work-ons: Experience in union
Player Comparison: Israel Folau
Player style: The $5 million man comes with a lot of promise and expectations, but I’m pretty confident Suaalii will live up to the hype. Though tipped to become a centre, I do see Suaalii having a gentler transition to rugby and I believe he’ll earn his first cap on the wing.
He’ll be a big presence on the edge, too, standing at 6’5, 98 kilograms, a handful for any opposing player. Exceptional in the air, bruising defence, a quality boot and at the ripe age of 21, the ex-Rooster has all the ingredients to become a world-class rugby player.
Experience at the top level is the glaring weakness in his game and only time will tell if this will have any impact on the young superstar crossing codes.
Wallabies position competitor: I would keep Suaalii on the wing to form the deadly trio with Wright and Toole, but Schmidt is likely to use him in the centres. He’ll be competing with Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau at 12 and 13 respectively.
While I think Len is safe, I can’t say the same for Hunter who’s had an up-and-down year. There’s no denying Suaalii would add great size and playmaking ability to the inside centre position. Nevertheless, us Wallabies fans will have to wait with bated breath to see where he settles in the backline.
With both Wright and Suaalii being named in the Wallabies squad and Toole being named in the Australia A squad, it’s looking unlikely will see this trio take the field together in November. But if Schmidt is feeling a little audacious and gives Toole a call-up, why not take a punt and play Wright, Toole, and Suaalii in the starting XV?
It may just be the beginning of a beautiful back three.
