It was the carry that re-announced Rugby Australia’s $5 million man: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii running straight through three defenders, including Zac Lomax.
After being limited to just four Super Rugby matches all year, including two in the past two months, questions had started to be raised about whether Australian rugby’s most expensive player would be a walk-up starter for the Wallabies given the form of Josh Flook and the looming return of John Eales Medallist, Len Ikitau, from England.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Waratahs warms up. Getty
The frustration over Suaalii’s output had been there for everyone to see when the 22-year-old, who picked up the nickname ‘the Ferrari’ last year, was stuck in first gear during his comeback match against the Western Force last month – a match where the Waratahs lost and the outside centre was limited to just two run metres in a 60-minute performance.
While Suaalii finally got out in the open against the Highlanders a week later, two missed tackles early in the match shone a spotlight on his defence, especially his decision-making, for all the wrong reasons.
Another fortnight on the sidelines because of another hamstring issue put the focus back on Suaalii’s stop-start season to date.
But a stunning performance against the Western Force put some of those fears to bed as he delivered arguably his best performance since making his rugby debut against England at Twickenham in late 2024.
Suaalii beat five defenders and made two clean breaks during his 11 runs.
In particular, his carry in the 64th minute put Ireland on notice ahead of their clash with the Wallabies in Sydney on July 4, as he ran through fellow NRL code-hopper Lomax first phase from a lineout, before also escaping the clutches of Harry Johnson-Holmes and Ben Donaldson. Soon after, the Waratahs had their third try and got back in front.
Two stunning takes from kicks as well as five tackles, including a few huge shots, added to an eye-catching cameo from the No.13.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returned to form against the Western Force. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Getty Images
Former Wallaby Nic White described Suaalii’s performance as “outstanding” when he interviewed the athletic back following the 31-25 defeat to the Force on Saturday night on Stan Sport.
Suaalii said he was just happy to be back on the field after a frustrating season.
“I honestly haven’t played footy the whole year, and it’s the first time I got to play,” he said.
“I obviously wanted to win, but we couldn’t really play [in the wet].
“For me, it was just trying to get the ball and just trying to have fun.”
Despite Suaalii’s starring role, the Waratahs chalked up their ninth loss from 14 matches in 2026.
The six-point defeat saw the Force leapfrog the Waratahs into seventh spot, with both sides missing the finals by four and five points, respectfully.
It was the third straight year the Waratahs missed the finals and second under Dan McKellar’s watch.
A sub-standard tight-five, especially around the set-piece, and an inability to finish inside the opposition 22 hurt the Waratahs’ chances of making the six-team finals series.
“We had a couple of chances to win some games this year, but at the end of the day we didn’t get the results and all we can do is get better for next year,” Suaalii said.
After being limited to just seven matches in his debut season last year, Suaalii got on the field just five times for the Waratahs in 2026.
But in news that will warm the heart of outgoing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, Suaalii said he was feeling “good” and he had started to understand and appreciate the taxing nature of the international game, with the code-hopper playing in 14 of the Wallabies’ 15 Tests in 2025.
“I’ve had a lot of time to work on myself mentally, physically, spiritually,” he said. “Just trying to get my mind right ahead of the big year.
“Last year I didn’t really know the difference between playing Super Rugby and the Wallabies games, it was really taxing on my body and my soul as well.
“It’s good this year; I know what’s coming ahead and I’m really looking forward to it.”