Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has defended the modest early season output of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the midfield, saying the marquee star suffers from unfair expectations where people think he should score “three or four tries” a game.
McKellar’s backing came as the coach made two changes to the Waratahs’ back three to meet the Hurricanes on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, but kept Suaalii at outside centre. Andrew Kellaway returns for James Hendren at fullback and Triston Reilly replaces the injured Harry Potter on the wing.
Debate has re-emerged in recent weeks about whether Suaalii is being wasted in the centres, following quiet games in the Tahs’ opening two wins, with just 16 carries for 32 metres and no line breaks. He was used as a decoy eight times against the Fijian Drua last start. Defensively, Suaalii has been stronger, with 15 tackles and no misses.
Former Waratahs and Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said on the Between Two Posts podcast that he would prefer to see Suaalii in the back three.
“I think he should be on the wing or fullback,” Hooper said. “I don’t think he’s a 13 at Wallabies level either. Seeing other guys with his type of frame, they were better suited to the back three. I don’t think we’re seeing the value that he has to offer.”
McKellar said he had not contemplated shifting Suaalii this week and had a wry laugh about the debate given he’d been criticised last season for playing the high-price recruit at fullback.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has had a quiet start to the season.Credit: Getty Images
“We had this conversation last year when I played him at 15 and copped a bit of flak around that, to be honest,” McKellar said. “It’s a bit ironic now that everyone thinks he should be playing 15. It’s like you’re damned if you do it, you’re damned if you don’t.
“It hasn’t been [a debate] in here. It might have been externally, but no, I’m working closely with Joseph around his game and he’s doing a lot of things really well.
“He had 10 touches against the Reds and less against Fiji. We had some opportunities to play against Fiji and we didn’t take them. So it’s not just on Joseph, it’s around others around him as well. We understand we have an attacking threat there that we want to use.
“Because of who he is, everyone expects him to make half a dozen line breaks and score three or four tries. That’s probably not going to happen. But the core foundation of his game is in really good shape now. He’s not the only back to have been a little bit short on possession in one game. That’s the challenge moving forward.”
Asked if Suaalii playing No.13 at the Wallabies was a factor in keeping him there, McKellar said he was in constant dialogue with national coach Joe Schmidt and was prepared to do what was best for the Wallabies.
“I’m not going to be pig-headed about that, but there hasn’t been that conversation,” he said. “It’s around what’s best for the individual. At the moment, he’s playing 13 and we’ve got to coach him hard. He’s been in the game 12 months.”
In other changes, Folau Faingaa has returned from a concussion and will start at hooker, with Ethan Dobbins rotated out. Leafi Talataina has also been named to start at No.6, with Clem Halaholo back on the bench. Sid Harvey could make a Super Rugby debut from the bench.
The Waratahs haven’t beaten the Hurricanes since 2015, losing eight straight games against the Kiwis. Last year McKellar’s Tahs were flying at 4-1 and had just beaten the Brumbies when they were thumped 57-12 in Wellington.
“They’re a good side, there’s no denying that,” McKellar said. “And like any good team, you’ve got to perform well and front up physically.
“And that’s a challenge that I think we’re ready for. The reality is they’re dangerous off turnover ball and counter-attack. So you need to kick well and you need to make sure that you reduce their opportunity from turnover.”
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