Wallabies dealt injury blow with Suaalii ruled out of second Japan Test

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been ruled out of the second Flight Centre Series clash against Japan after picking up an injury against the same opponent last weekend, leading coach Les Kiss to call a former Australia Schools & U18s skipper into the squad.

Suaalii has been a matchday regular for the Wallabies since making the switch across codes after the 2024 NRL season with the Sydney Roosters. The 23-year-old has started all four Tests so far this season at outside centre, but someone else will step into that role this weekend.

The Wallabies confirmed on Tuesday that Suaalii picked up a minor hamstring strain in the 35-32 win over the Brave Blossoms in Osaka, ruling the centre out of the match at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

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Benetton-bound Josh Flook has been brought into the squad, with recent debutant Isaac Henry and Queensland Reds utility Filipo Daugunu emerging as other candidates to potentially slot in at outside centre.

Suaalii has dominated Australian rugby headlines this week, as fans and pundits continue to have their say on whether the Wallaby’s best fit is in the midfield. Wallabies great Tim Horan said on Wide World of Sports that “we’re just not seeing enough of him” in that 13 role.

“A lot of people have been talking about, put him on the wing where he can use his height, we’ve seen what he did in the NRL,” The two-time Rugby World Cup winner said.

“Get him involved in the game. He’s just being wasted at number 13.

“[Suaalii is] trying. He’s trying to get involved in the game.

“But unfortunately, the game’s not coming to him. He’s trying to find a way.”

It’s another tough injury blow for the Wallabies, who are already without the reigning John Eales Medal winner (Wallabies Player of the Year) Len Ikitau, who was regularly selected alongside Suaalii in the centres under Joe Schmidt.

But in Ikitau’s absence, Hunter Paisami made the most of a rare opportunity to start at inside centre, standing out on both sides of the ball against Japan in Osaka. Paisami was ranked among the very best on the night for total carries and tackles completed.

“[Suaalii] being that talented is a first world problem,” Wallabies fullback Tom Wright told reporters this week.

“So many opinions on it; it means (Suaalii) is almost too good for people to just be happy with where he’s at.

“The versatility across our entire backline is a weapon for us, to change the point of attack.

“And ‘Su’ could jump in anywhere – you could mould him into an inside centre, give him enough time to play five-eighth – he’s going to be brilliant wherever you put him.

“I’ve seen his game grow so, so well in the 13 position and there’s no mention from him, as in ‘he wants to do this, doesn’t want to do this’, it’s team first.”