Wallabies great’s take on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii moving to the wing

Wallabies great Michael Hooper was impressed by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s performance in the 42-38 win over the Springboks, believing the utility was more influential in one start on the wing than in his last couple of appearances at centre.

Suaalii had only ever started at outside centre for the Wallabies, but coach Les Kiss made a huge selection call last week with the world champions in Australia. ‘Su’ joined Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright in a new-look back three, and they’re all able to make an impact.

Jorgensen finished the Test with a game-high total carries and running metres, having raced away for a try during the second term. Wright was recognised with Player of the Match honours, and Suaalii set up a couple of important tries during the first half.

23-year-old Suaalii made an immediate impact on the wing, chasing down the opening kick-off and rising highest to take possession. The Wallaby appeared supremely confident under the high ball, even setting up Len Ikitau by winning an aerial contest around the 30-minute mark.

The Wallabies spread the ball wide in the final play before the break, with Suaalii delivering the last pass to try-scorer Ben Donaldson. Suaalii slotted in at centre late, but clearly turned heads in a maiden appearance on the edge.

“I think he set a tone with the way he went and got that first kick-off. Lenny Ikitau’s second try, he was instrumental in going up and doing what he was meant to do,” Hooper said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“I think he had more big moments in one game than he’s had in the last couple at 13. Let’s see what happens with Lenny Ikitau and hopefully his injury isn’t too serious with him in that 13 jersey but certainly Joseph, I think, just looks like he’s going to find a better rhythm at wing.”

Kiss’ decision to shift Suaalii to the wing opened the door for the reigning Wallabies Player of the Year (John Eales Medal winner) Ikitau to wear “the jersey he’s meant to be in.” It’d been quite a while since Ikitau started at outside centre, but the 27-year-old got that shot last weekend.

Ikitau hadn’t started in the No. 13 jersey for club or country since the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals in 2025. But the midfielder finished with a two-try haul against the Boks, before going off during the second half with an ankle injury.

Hunter Paisami also made the most of another appearance in the run-on side at inside centre, linking up with Ikitau in the run-on side for the first time in years. Paisami had some positive involvements, but was shown a yellow card late in the piece.

“He looked outstanding. That partnership with Hunter is outstanding,” Hooper added.

“The lines that he runs, the opportunities that he creates, him being vocal – you could see how vocal he is out on the field – and then just being in the right spot at the right time. The Suaalii contestable that then just falls into his hands, that’s not luck, that’s good effort.

“Made some good tackles, missed that one that we saw in the replay… aside from that it was a pretty clean sheet.”