'Megastar' Suaalii shines in 'first grown-up game of rugby'

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii played both codes of rugby growing up before signing for National Rugby League side Sydney Roosters

Playing your first senior game of professional rugby union as a 21-year-old in front of 82,000 spectators at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium might have been an overwhelming occasion.

But Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii did not just survive, he thrived, winning the man of the match award in the visitors' last-gasp victory over England.

Astonishingly, it was his first involvement in union since playing for Australia Schoolboys in 2019.

Having settled into the match with some nice touches, Joe Schmidt's side had conceded two early tries and were in need of some magic.

The former rugby league star - signed by Rugby Australia on a three-year deal reportedly worth A$5.35m (£2.7m) - did not disappoint.

A little hitch-kick got Suaalii on the outside of the electric Ollie Sleightholme, before a ridiculous one-handed over-the-top pass over George Furbank sent Tom Wright over.

Former England fly-half Paul Grayson believes the sport have "nabbed a megastar" from league.

"He has made a pass before the event has happened," Grayson told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly. "As Furbank started to step in, he is already providing a gentle little basketball-roll over him.

"You know you have to commit, but he’s already done you. It was glorious.

"Literally his first game of grown-up rugby union."

England's 2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson added: "Suaalii is 6ft 5in tall with arms like Mr Tickle. It's like eight-foot when he has the ball in the air and that's really hard to stop."

'An aerial freak'

Schmidt is known for being an incredibly detail-orientated coach, hence throwing in a 21-year-old for his debut surprised many.

But tight Tests are won by small margins and having a 6ft 5in outside centre was a point of difference that could be exploited – shown when he rose higher than England lock Maro Itoje to slap back the ball for his first touch in Wallaby gold.

The see-sawing encounter moved in England’s favour when Itoje powered over in the 78-minute, however despite Marcus Smith knocking over the conversion to give the hosts a two-point buffer, there was still time for the restart.

And just like his first touch, Suaalii leapt above Itoje to win the ball back from England's leading jumper. It proved to be a pivotal moment and ended with replacement wing Max Jorgensen scoring the winning try in the 84th minute.

"Joseph obviously got a few kick-offs back for us. He's a bit of an aerial freak, but at the same time, it was a good learning experience for Joseph as well," Schmidt added.

"I know there were some doubts expressed about him being selected and the risk.

"I think people would now see the opportunity of involving a young man like that, particularly the way he prepared in the week. I thought he was really professional."

Suaalii was regularly used off restarts to win the ball back for Australia because of his athletic profile

In an enthralling encounter, Suaalii struggled to get the ball regularly in space to show off his attacking game.

However, what was equally impressive for Dawson was his defensive ability from 13, which is often described as one of the most difficult positions to defend from.

"I watched him sprint in to smash or slap the ball, but he didn't overcommit himself and then just jumped out into the 13 channel to organise the defence," Dawson added.

"That is something a 30-year-old would do, not a 21-year-old who has never played senior professional rugby union before. He gets it."

The big-money move was to help add some spark to Australia's backline before next year's British and Irish Lions tour and a home World Cup in 2027.

Having played in the Rugby League World Cup final for Samoa in 2022, Suaalii is already used to the big stage and the Wallabies will hope he will only get better.

"I just soaked up the whole moment of putting the Wallabies jersey on, it was a very special thing for my family and I," Suaalii told broadcasters after the match.

"Honestly, I had so much fun out there, and I was just glad to get the win."