Les Kiss reacts to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s first start on the wing

Les Kiss believes the Wallabies can use Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii “quite readily” as an option at either centre or wing, with the 23-year-old starting in the No. 11 jersey for the first time in a 42-38 win over the Springboks.

Suaalii has almost exclusively been used by the national team as an outside centre, starting in that role in all but two appearances before last weekend’s Test. ‘Su’ has come off the bench twice, which included a 15-minute shift in a six-point win over Argentina on August 30.

As the Wallabies looked to a clash with the world champion Springboks, Kiss made a huge call by shifting Suaalii to the wing. Suaalii hadn’t played that role for either club or country before, but the dual international made an immediate impact.

Suaalii rose highest to claim the ball off the opening kick-off but was penalised moments later after coming to ground. The utility back set up two tries later in the half, having won another duel in the air to set up outside centre Len Ikitau.

But Kiss hasn’t committed to keeping Suaalii on the wing moving forward, suggesting the Wallaby could potentially line up at either centre or fullback as well. However, Ikitau did come off injured against the Boks, and Hunter Paisami was cited for an incident inside the final five minutes.

“It’s there for us. I can play him at 15, too,” Kiss said.

“I think tonight he found some good spaces; we could have got him into better spaces at times but it suited their plan with the aerial battle.

“The back three were pretty good tonight but we can use him at 13 and wing quite readily now.”

Suaalii linked up with NSW Waratahs teammate Max Jorgensen and Wallabies regular Tom Wright in a new-look back three. Jorgensen scored a try, and led the match with a game-high number of carries and total running metres.

Wright was awarded Player of the Match honours after a standout performance out the back, more than one year on from a season-ending injury against the Boks in South Africa. The No. 15 ran for more than 45 metres and showcased an effective kicking game.

“Joe did his bit, didn’t he? And then we moved him to 13 which is a great thing we’re trying to work on and be able to adapt our positions in certain ways and get a bit of depth in our combinations,” Kiss explained.

“It was a back three, it wasn’t just ‘Su’. I thought Wright, I think that’s his best game he’s had for four or five games now and he was imperious at times.

“Jorgo is Jorgo. That boy just knows one way to set his mindset. Nothing seems to faze the boy and the quality to come through and then finish that try is pretty special tonight.”