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High profile code hopper Joseph Suaalii said he rates his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Waratahs as being more intense than the Test rugby he played for the Wallabies.
Suaalii made that revelation after the Waratahs kicked off their 2025 campaign with a nail-biting 37-36 triumph over the Highlanders in Sydney.
The 21-year-old was in the thick of the action from the outset but eventually lasted 68 minutes of the thrilling encounter before leaving the field due to cramp.
He made his Test debut at outside centre against England during last year’s Autumn Nations Series and continued in that position in three other Tests on the Wallabies‘ end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
However, he started at full-back for the Waratahs against the Highlanders and said the Super Rugby Pacific clash was a little tougher than what he experienced at international level.
‘The intensity was more here in Super Rugby’
“I reckon the intensity was more here in Super Rugby (than Test Rugby) if I’m being quite honest,” said Suaalii. “I was talking to (Waratahs captain) Jake Gordon about it; just the ball in-play, the contact and the Highlanders boys were ready to play today.
“I got hit a couple of times, but it was good.
“It’s a high level of footy we’re playing here, especially against those Kiwi boys…I’m just glad we got the win.”
Super Rugby Pacific winners and losers: Joseph Suaalii ‘shows his class’ for Waratahs while Cam Roigard struggles in New Zealand derby
Suaalii admitted that he is still adapting to the fullback position and feels there is still room for improvement.
“There were a couple of times when I was out of position, but other than that, I actually enjoyed being able to see the game at 15 (fullback), and just being able to scan and see from a different perspective from centre,” he said.
“There are a lot of things to work on.
“It’s more running compared to centre where you’re tackling a little bit more.
‘I felt pretty good out there’
“It was a lot of high-speed running, so I still need to get the kilometres into my legs but I felt pretty good out there.”
After making a name for himself at the Allianz Stadium with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, Suaalii was happy to be back at his old stomping ground with the Waratahs.
“It’s good to be playing back at Allianz,” he said. “I don’t live too far away, so it’s a place where I call home so it’s good, great to be back playing here,” he said.
“Honestly, the reason I played the game is because I love the game, and I love that my whole family get to come to the game and friends and all that come together.”
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