‘Joe’s not going to tell me he wants him to play here, or there, or wherever’ – Joseph Suaalii handed new position for Waratahs debut against Brumbies

The jury is still out on which position suits new Wallabies sensation Joseph Suaalii best after he was named at full-back for his first match for the Waratahs.

The Sydney-based outfit’s head coach Dan McKellar has not been swayed by the former rugby league star’s impressive performances at outside centre for Australia on last year’s end-of-year tour to Europe and the 21-year-old will wear the number 15 jersey when the Waratahs face the Brumbies in a Super Rugby Pacific warm-up game in Bowral on Saturday.

Suaalii signed a lucrative deal with Rugby Australia, thought to be around AUS$5.35 million, which will keep him in rugby union until at least the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Made his Test debut before Super Rugby bow

The former Sydney Roosters star made his Wallabies Test debut before his Super Rugby Pacific bow but has been hard at work with the Waratahs during their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Earlier this week, McKellar revealed that he is yet to decide on Suaalii’s best position after the player trained in different roles with the Sydneysiders.

“I’ve given him time in a number of different positions, so nothing is locked in,” he told 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio.

“He’s certainly got value across [the field]. You can play him on the wing, you can play him at 13 like he did on tour, you can play him at fullback.

“So, it’s wherever he is going to be best suited for the team and obviously where we can build the game around him where he is going to get plenty of touches of the ball.

“The last thing I want is Joseph being in a position, or a game, where the ball just isn’t coming to him.

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“He’s a threat with ball in hand and as coaches, we need to be smart and tactical on how we ensure that occurs.

“I’m giving him some time on the wing and some time at 13 and some time at fullback and we’ll make a decision over the next couple of weeks.”

Although Suaalii caught the eye with some impressive performances for the Wallabies – mostly at outside centre as well some other backline positions during the latter stages of Tests – McKellar said he will not be influenced by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt on where to play the ex-NRL star.

“Joe’s not going to tell me [that] he wants him to play here, or there, or wherever,” he told media at a press conference on Tuesday.

“He sees the benefit, as Joseph sees the benefit, in training in different positions and just continually improving his knowledge.”

McKellar eventually decided on playing Suaalii at full-back and is keen to see how the player fares in his new position in a match situation.

‘Now it is about him putting into practice in a match situation’

“There’s so much training you can do, but now it is about him putting into practice in a match situation what he’s worked hard on… building cohesion,” said McKellar.

“Thankfully, he was involved in the Wallabies tour and a number of the other players around him were too… your Jake Gordons, Kellaways, Jorgensens… these players.

“You know he’s familiar with them now, and he’s quickly building a nice combination with guys like Lalakai [Foketi] and Joe Walton as well.”

McKellar has named a strong Waratahs matchday squad and Suaalii is one of 10 Wallabies in the run-on side, with three further amongst the replacements.

Joining him as Waratahs debutants are fellow Wallabies Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway and Rob Leota. The Waratahs kick off their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Februay 14.

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