Get Newsletter

Gatland's complimentary view on Suaalii

SPOTLIGHT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes ‘the game needs superstars’ as his struggling outfit prepare to face Wallaby wonder Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on Sunday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 21-year-old centre marked his debut in professional rugby union with a player-of-the-match performance during the Wallabies’ dramatic last-minute 42-37 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday.

That performance came less than a month following his multi-million dollar switch from rugby league – producing a superb one-handed pass that set Wallaby fullback Tom Wright up for Australia’s opening try.

Labelled as an ‘aerial freak’ by Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt, the head coach will hope for more of the same in Cardiff as the Wallabies look to inflict a record 11th straight loss upong Wales by all opponents.

“I think the impressive thing about him was his offloading game – just being able to get the ball away,” said Gatland.

“He didn’t get a lot of opportunities with the ball in hand from an attacking perspective but it was just being able to get the ball he got away over the top for a try and not die with the ball.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The veteran New Zealander added: “I thought he fitted in pretty well for someone to be thrown into his first professional game at international level at Twickenham.

“I think the game needs people like that. The game needs superstars. For him to be named player-of-the-match as well, and to create that hype.

“We all know and are pretty aware that rugby in Australia needs a boost. And hopefully for him, that is the kind of boost that he may provide, particularly in Sydney with the Swans being involved in the AFL [Australian Rules] Final.”

Wales face Australia following a 19-24 defeat to Fiji at the Millennium Stadium last weekend, a loss that left them without a Test win since beating Georgia in a 2023 World Cup pool match over a year ago.

ADVERTISEMENT

HSBC SVNS Perth takes place on 24-26 January at HBF Park. Plan your ultimate rugby weekend in Western Australia with the help of flexible travel packages including tickets and accommodation. Buy Now or Find Out More.  

Join free

Boks Office | Episode 30 | Christmas Special

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Day Two Men's Highlights

South Africa v New Zealand | Rugby World Cup 1995 Final | The Vaults

How did Australia go five in a row? | HSBC Life on Tour

Behind the Scenes | World Rugby Awards

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment