The New Zealander revealed on Thursday just what a fan he is of the Wallabies’ thrilling new outside centre — even if Suaalii might just end up being the player to help shove him out of a job in Cardiff when buoyant Australia visit the Principality Stadium on Sunday.
The hype hasn’t stopped flowing around the reintroduction of the 21-year-old to union after his multi-million dollar cross-code move from the NRL, with even Wales centre Ben Thomas admitting to have been following the young star since he was at the Roosters.
Wales coach Warren Gatland has beenhugely impressed by Suaalii. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
Having won the player of the match award in his first rugby union game for five years since he was a schoolboy whizz while helping Australia edge England 42-37 at Twickenham on Saturday, Suaalii’s bow left the impressed Gatland recognising just what danger he poses.
“I think the impressive thing about him was his off-loading game – just being able to get the ball away,” said Gatland, whose job is increasingly under pressure with Wales facing a potential record-breaking 11th straight Test defeat.
“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.
“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 man-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 also being involved in the AFL final.”
Gatland likened Suaalii’s potential impact in Sydney as being akin to the Swans’ AFL rise. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Thomas saw enough to know the home side cannot afford this absolute beginner in Test rugby an inch of space.
“I have watched a lot of him playing with the Roosters, so I knew a fair bit about him already,” said Thomas.
“I think he probably gave us a glimpse of what we can expect on the weekend when we play against him, so it is on us to limit his time and space.
“I wouldn’t say we focus too much on containing any individual player. Pretty much every team at this level will have some star power in their back-line.
“It is probably more about containing them as a team and limiting the time and space that we give them. Those players are going to have key moments, so it’s how much we can limit their opportunities.
“They always get athletes, when they get league players, so we will be aware of it.”
With PA
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