Wallabies legend proposes positional switch for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii that he knows ‘he isn’t going to like’
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Wallabies
Wallabies legend Stirling Mortlock has called on Joe Schmidt to consider playing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a different position. The recently turned 22-year-old is eight caps into his fledgling Test rugby career following his switch to union from league.
All eight of those appearances – seven as a starter – have been at outside centre and the 80-cap Mortlock, a veteran of the Wallabies’ run to the final of the Rugby World Cup 2003, now believes a temporary change is needed if Suaalii is to realise his full potential as an international midfielder.
The 48-year-old has tracked Suaalii ever since he was a year 10 student at The King’s School and ahead of next weekend’s start to the 2025 Rugby Championship, Mortlock has suggested that a stint on the wing in Schmidt’s team would greatly benefit the Test rookie who returned to union last year after playing NRL for the Roosters.
In an interview published on rugby.com.au ahead of the Wallabies‘ clash with the Springboks next Saturday in Johannesburg, Mortlock admitted his idea wouldn’t be liked by Suaalii, who went to the same school as his two sons.
“I hated it…”
“He’s not going to like this but when I first came through, I ended up having two full seasons on the wing. I didn’t like it at all. I hated it.
“I was playing provincial rugby for the Brumbies at 13, but those two seasons on the wing gave me a great opportunity to understand what wingers need from a 13, from a voice and connection and combination-wise.
“Then, probably more importantly, 13 is your spiritual leader in defence, so there is a lot of communication that is required and linking that you do in multi-phase and off set-piece.
“So there are a lot of decisions that you have to make and, when you are on the wing, you learn very quickly what you need from that 13 and that helped my development as a 13 massively.
“So you don’t lose much if you put him on the wing and, in particular, what you do get is his aerial skills. He is unbelievable with the high ball and cross kicks.
“So I’m not saying Joseph isn’t an outside centre but, if he ended up on the wing for a while, it would also be great because he has got all the attributes to be an amazing world-class 13 for the Wallabies long term, if he doesn’t already have them.”
The Wallabies hit back last weekend to beat the British and Irish Lions in their series finale in Sydney and leave the score 1-2.
However, while Mortlock, who skippered Australia at the Rugby World Cup 2007, has urged Schmidt to consider switching Suaalii to the wing, he also insisted that the head coach avoid chopping and changing his XV and have some selection consistency instead.
“Players can run the same lines, but nothing can replace chemistry and connection,” he said. “If Joe Schmidt thinks this is his best side then, barring injury, I’d like to see him pick and stick.
“Teams need at least five to 10 Tests together, minimum, to start to gel. Nothing beats time in the saddle and playing games together. Training can help slightly but playing together, going through some hard times together and learning as a group is invaluable and builds up trust and all the things you need at the DNA of a world-class team.
“So this whole notion of rotating players and subbing off players because they need a rest, I just don’t get it. I would always take a battle-hardened team that may be a little bruised and sore over a fresh team with less combinations.”
