Wallabies rekindling star centre partnership to fight fire with fire

While injury clouds hover over a number of Wallabies, Len Ikitau says his centre partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is starting to shine.

The Wallabies battled wet conditions at their training session in Newcastle ahead of Sunday’s Test against Fiji with the mood in camp dampened by reports key forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are battling calf injuries.

While the Wallabies’ staff are tight-lipped ahead of the team naming on Friday, it would be a huge blow for the Australians after giant lock Skelton also missed their last clash with Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which resulted in a shock loss.

Valetini, who started at No.8 in that France match, has since been the Wallabies’ most consistent performer, winning successive John Eales Medals.

Coach Joe Schmidt won’t take any chances with the star duo with the countdown on to the first British and Irish Test in Brisbane on July 19.

First-choice halfback Jake Gordon is also expected to miss due to his troubling hamstring issue, while Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh is still recovering from his hand injury.

With the likes of Mark Nawaqanitawase, Carter Gordon and Jordan Petaia not even playing rugby any more and veterans Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi overlooked for selection, the Wallabies will field an entirely different starting backline to that which fronted in Saint Etienne.

Ikitau missed the World Cup after fracturing his shoulder while Suaalii only crossed from the NRL late last year, with the pair first linking in the centres with a win over England in November.

Brumbies gun Ikitau said they were starting to put some polish on their budding combination as Suaalii returned to action following his broken jaw.

Other backs in line for a start on Sunday could include fullback Tom Wright, halves Noah Lolesio and Nic White and wingers Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter.

“Just playing with any centre in the squad – I’ve played a lot with Hunter (Paisami) when I played 13 and am starting to get a good combination with Joseph,” Ikitau said on Wednesday.

“In terms of that, just making sure that we’re getting some reps in at training and then just taking it out on the field.

“He’s a natural footballer and he knows how to play whatever position he gets put in, but for us it’s just trying to get combinations in at training and trying to defend together.

“It’s knowing when he wants the ball … just making sure that whenever I’m in a position to set the outside guys up,  just taking those opportunities when they come.”

With the Lions showing their ability to play with width as well as their traditional forward-based game in their 54-7 win over the Western Force, Ikitau said facing an unpredictable Fiji would be an ideal preparation.

“Yeah, I think so because you don’t know what to expect from Fiji when you play them – anything can happen,” Ikitau said.

“The Lions, they’ve got four different countries coming together and playing for the one team, so it’s just making sure that you’re ready for whatever.

“And it’s no different with the Fiji team this week, so just preparing for whatever and just making sure that we’re on our game.”