Wallabies: Les Kiss gives blunt verdict on which position he will use ‘super athlete’ Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in
Wallabies outside back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and head coach Les Kiss (inset).
New Wallabies head coach Les Kiss has revealed that he will be using Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a midfield position in their upcoming internationals.
Australia are set to take on Japan in back-to-back Tests in Osaka on August 8 and Townsville on August 15.
Much has been said about Suaalii‘s best position since he made the switch from rugby union to rugby league ahead of the Wallabies‘ 2024 end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom.
Former Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt used him at outside centre in those Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland but he featured mostly at full-back for the Waratahs during the 2025 season.
Shone at full-back for the Waratahs
The cross-code convert delivered several excellent performances in the number 15 jersey for the Sydney-based outfit and was eventually selected in that position in Super Rugby Pacific’s Team of the Year for 2025.
However, Schmidt continued to use him at outside centre at Test level and Kiss has a similar view although he is open to a positional switch for Suaalii if it is required.
“I had a meeting with Joseph yesterday. He’s a big lad when you get really close to him, but he’s a super athlete,” said Kiss. “He’s a good footballer on many levels.
“I will be persisting at 13 with him at this stage, but I know that he can go to [full-back] and wing, and that’s important to acknowledge as well.”
Just one overseas-based player in Wallabies squad
Meanwhile, experienced Racing 92 tighthead prop Taniela Tupou was the only overseas-based player included in the Wallabies’ 34-man squad for the Tests against the Brave Blossoms.
Utility forward Tom Hooper, who is currently plying his trade at PREM Rugby outfit Exeter Chiefs, was excluded due to a shoulder injury.
Outside back Jordan Petaia, who recently returned to rugby union with Top 14 club Perpignan after a failed stint in American football was also believed to be in the running for a spot in the Wallabies squad but did not make the cut.
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Kiss revealed that Petaia, who is set to move to a Japanese club in the upcoming months, is still on his radar along with other overseas-based players.
“Jordy’s there, working away and we’ll keep looking at him,” he said.
“There’ll be conversations that we’ll have with the coaches first and then we’ll talk to the right people about where we go with that. We want the right players to be here and those that can make a difference and give us what we need in games.
“I won’t be afraid to look overseas, but respect what we’ve got here.”
