Nic White defends Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii tactics against Fiji

Veteran halfback Nic White was happy with the win but not the performance after the Wallabies’ preparation for the British and Irish Lions was almost derailed by Fiji.

A last-ditch try by skipper Harry Wilson saved Australia’s blushes in Newcastle with a 21-18 victory ensuring they won’t head into their three-Test series against the Lions on the back of an embarrassing loss.

But Joe Schmidt’s men still have a ton of work and little time before their July 19 opener in Brisbane.

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Their error tally, aimless kicking and missed tackles on Saturday are a major concern as they take on the best of the four nations.

“Stoked with the win, not the performance,” said a relieved White, who came off the bench to replacing starting No.9 Tate McDermott.

Points Flow Chart

Australia win +3

Time in lead

51

Mins in lead

22

63%

% Of Game In Lead

27%

58%

Possession Last 10 min

42%

7

Points Last 10 min

0

“There were moments where we were really good and there were moments where we just missed a few things and things we can control, and that’s the disappointing thing.

“We’ll deep dive into that, get into our review … first and foremost is finding out what we didn’t do right within the way we wanted to play the game and then fix that.

“We’ve got a bit of time together after that and we’ve got a bit of work to do.

“We’ll get that right and give ourselves a chance of getting a result.”

Asked if the Wallabies were confident of upsetting the Lions, White replied “definitely”.

With Fiji beating them in their last Test, at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and sitting only one spot behind Australia at nine in the world rankings, White said the Pacific Islanders presented as a formidable opponent.

“Fiji bringing plenty of physical pressure and then also obviously big game pressure and fatigue pressure,” the 35-year-old said.

“They’re a good side and we had to find a way to win there.”

Superstar recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii didn’t get much time and space with the ball at centre while the Wallabies didn’t use his aerial prowess to their advantage.

White defended the former NRL gun’s contribution.

“Sometimes he’s going to attract some attention and open up space for others and some games there will be space for him but I thought he did his job really well … and that’s just how the game goes sometimes,” White said.

The Wallabies’ squad for the Lions series will be named on Friday in Brisbane and star forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who missed the Fiji Test through injury, are expected to be available.

Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon and Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh, who also sat out the Fiji match, will be back in contention for the Lions.

The Wallabies lost hooker Dave Porecki, who hadn’t played a Test match since the World Cup due to injury, to a head knock. He has a history of concussion which could impact on his chances of playing against the Lions.

No.10 Noah Lolesio was stretchered off in the second half, but was cleared of serious injury.

Veteran playmaker James O’Connor missed squad selection for Fiji and his chances of making the list for the Lions didn’t seem to improve despite Lolesio’s injury and poor game.

Coach Schmidt felt Ben Donaldson did a solid job after replacing Lolesio while Lynagh has also been training with the squad after recovering from a hand injury.