Suaalii shifts to wing as Wallabies face Springboks in Perth
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will start on the wing for the first time when Australia face South Africa in Perth on Sunday.
Wallabies coach Les Kiss has moved his star back from the midfield to the left wing for the one-off Test against the Springboks. Max Jorgensen holds the other wing spot and Tom Wright starts at fullback, the last line of defence behind them.
It is a bold call. Suaalii has built his Test reputation in the centres, where quick feet and strong carrying matter in tight space. On the wing he will have more open grass, more high balls to chase and more one-on-one tackles to make near the touchline.
Harry Potter, the man who makes way, has backed his teammate to handle it. Potter said Suaalii would succeed if picked on the wing, and he is named among the replacements for Perth, according to Reuters.
Australia have reshuffled behind him too. Hunter Paisami starts at inside centre (12) with Len Ikitau outside him at 13, a pairing built for hard running and solid defence. Harry Wilson captains the side from No 8, the position at the back of the scrum that links the forwards and backs.
Up front, Angus Bell, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan Alaalatoa form the starting front row, the three players who anchor the scrum. Kiss has then loaded his bench with fresh muscle. Australia have chosen six forwards and two backs among the eight replacements.
The bench will comprise Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano with scrum-half Tate McDermott and Potter as the back-up backs. That 6-2 split is a simple bet on power late in the game, when tired legs make collisions harder.
Australia arrive in good shape. They are unbeaten in four matches under Kiss, according to The Guardian.
South Africa present a very different test. They are the reigning world champions, and coach Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to his starting side after the recent series against New Zealand. It is a reminder of their depth. They can rotate heavily and still field a pack built to dominate.
What makes this stand out for fans is the contrast. Australia want speed and fresh legs. South Africa want set-piece pressure and physical control. For newcomers, watch the first contact after the tackle and the lineout, where both sides lift a jumper to win the throw. Win those, and the wings see the ball that matters.
