Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to line up at fullback in Waratahs debut

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will line up at fullback in his much-anticipated Super Rugby Pacific debut for the NSW Waratahs on Friday night.

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has named Suaalii among seven debutants to face the Highlanders in the season opener at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

After excelling on the Wallabies’ spring tour of Europe, the superstar signing will be making his first competitive outing for the Waratahs since switching codes and leaving the NRL’s Sydney Roosters last September.

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With Suaalii to wear the No.15 jumper, fellow Wallabies Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen will be the starting wingers.

Along with Suaalii, the other Waratahs debutants are replacement back Darby Lancaster, props Taniela Tupou and Siosifa Amone, flanker Rob Leota, second-rower Ben Grant and Englishman Jamie Adamson.

Tupou and Leota also joined the Tahs from the Rebels, Amone has defected from the Western Force, Grant arrives from the Hurricanes while Adamson hails from the ranks of Sydney’s Shute Shield rugby at Eastern Suburbs.

“I spoke to the players about the fact we’ve got seven debutants, a head coach on debut, as well as a number of assistant coaches and staff,” McKellar said.

“It’s an exciting time for the NSW Waratahs.”

The Waratahs finished 12th last season to claim the competition’s wooden spoon.