Wallabies midfielder Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii has highlighted his personal growth since his switch from the NRL.<\/p>\n
The union rookie switched professional codes last year and has now reflected on his 10-cap Test career following last Saturday\u2019s remarkable comeback win by Australia.<\/p>\n
Joe Schmidt\u2019s side were 0-22 behind 18 minutes into their Rugby Championship round one encounter against the Springboks in Johannesburg. However, they dramatically hit back with a six-try flourish to secure an incredible 38-22 success<\/a>.<\/p>\n The comeback drama has left Suaalii on a high and looking to repeat the victory when the sides clash again next Saturday in Cape Town. It was away to England last November when the 22-year-old, fresh from just a single Super Rugby campaign with the Waratahs, when he made his Test debut.<\/p>\n With South Africa now beaten in the most dramatic circumstances following on from Australia\u2019s series-ending win over the British and Irish Lions on August 2, Suaalii<\/a> has reflected on his progress in the sport since deciding to quit league with the NRL Roosters.<\/p>\n \u201cThat has been a big thing too\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, I\u2019m just enjoying every single part of what rugby union brings,\u201d Suaalii told reporters. \u201cThe biggest growth is the travel, travelling away from family, creating friendships with teammates. That has been a big thing too.<\/p>\n \u201cI have been in league, you\u2019re in a different environment. Coming across, I feel like you live with the boys here. They become your family away from your family. I\u2019m really enjoying building different relationships, experiencing different things in different countries with your best mates.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really enjoying that aspect of my personal growth. I\u2019m 22 years old now. I\u2019m just enjoying what the game of rugby brings. Going to South Africa, playing against the Lions. Just travelling the world. I feel like that\u2019s something that every young kid wants to do as a kid. Just enjoying the dream that\u2019s been created.<\/p>\n \u201cThe game of rugby is not just me. There are 23 players; there are more. You have got the whole training week with the players that don\u2019t get picked and then you have got coaches and everyone. So, it\u2019s just not me. Obviously, there is talk around it. But at the end of the day it\u2019s a team sport. I don\u2019t really see it as pressure on me. It\u2019s how can I be best for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n Springboks v Wallabies: Five takeaways as dire tackle rate causes South Africa meltdown and Australia dominate broken field<\/a><\/p>\n Being at his best for the Wallabies included scoring his first Test try last weekend. No wonder he sounded enthusiastic reflecting on his team\u2019s time so far in South Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s exciting for me,\u201d he added. \u201cYou\u2019re going against some of the best players in the world. We\u2019re excited for us as a backline to test ourselves.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a great battle last week, but this week will be very exciting too. I want to see them [young kids] enjoy coming over to South Africa for the first time, even just experiencing what the life is in South Africa, especially in Jo\u2019burg, what it\u2019s like around there. Going to a safari, that whole week, training that.<\/p>\n \u201cA different altitude, a whole different experience. As a young kid growing up, that was something I really wanted to do: travel the world and play in different countries and go against the best. Playing at Ellis Park, my family in the crowd, my partner\u2019s family in the crowd. Nothing beats it.<\/p>\n