NEWCASTLE, Australia — Rugby’s spotlight is set to shine on one of its youngest stars, 21-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, as he takes the field against Fiji under the watchful eyes of a familiar face, Fiji coach Mick Byrne. This Sunday, the Pacific island team will compete against Australia in Newcastle, north of Sydney, marking the season-opening tests for both teams.
Byrne, who previously encountered Sua’ali’i during his tenure as an assistant to then-Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, recalls the young athlete’s immediate impact. “I remember when ‘Cheik’ and I first met him when I was at the Wallabies and a young schoolboy came in, before he signed with rugby league, and we knew then that he was a tremendous athlete,” Byrne commented on the National Rugby League recruit, who will be playing his fourth test and his first on Australian soil.
“I think he offers a dimension to the game that not many athletes can,” Byrne noted, emphasizing Sua’ali’i’s unique skill set. “Like a lot of international players we come up against, we’ve got to keep our eye on him, but I think as a player he just offers another sort of dimension, being that aerial skill-set that we’ll have to be aware of as well.”
Historic Rivalry and Recent Upsets
The last encounter between these teams in 2023 saw Fiji, under former coach Simon Raiwalui, deliver a stunning defeat to the Australians, then coached by Eddie Jones, with a 22-15 victory in the Rugby World Cup. This marked Fiji’s first win against Australia in 69 years and played a pivotal role in preventing Australia from advancing past the preliminary stage for the first time in World Cup history.
For the upcoming match, Byrne has retained 13 players from that historic victory, including the entire forward pack, with the exception of flanker Elia Canakaivata. “It’s exciting times for us,” Byrne stated. “All our players have gelled well together as a team. It’s an exciting opportunity for us to get in against Australia in Australia, especially in a Lions year when there’s a lot of excitement around.”
Strategic Lineups and Key Players
Fiji’s match against Australia is the first of two consecutive weekend games, with the team set to face Scotland in Suva next Saturday. Meanwhile, the Wallabies will be led by loose forward Harry Wilson, with Tate McDermott and Noah Lolesio forming the halfback pairing. This lineup suggests head coach Joe Schmidt’s preference for these players in the upcoming test matches against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane on July 19.
Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i will take on the role of outside center, transitioning from his Super Rugby season position as fullback with the New South Wales Waratahs. Schmidt has also opted for experience in the Australian front row, recalling former captain David Porecki, who has not played for the Wallabies in 643 days due to injuries.
“The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the test on Sunday,” Schmidt said. “I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle.”
Looking Ahead: Implications and Expectations
This match not only serves as a critical test for both teams but also sets the stage for the upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions. For Fiji, it’s an opportunity to build on past successes and showcase their evolving team dynamic. For Australia, it’s a chance to reassert their dominance and integrate rising talents like Sua’ali’i into their strategic framework.
The match promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy, with both teams eager to start their season on a high note. Rugby fans around the globe will be watching closely as these two teams clash, each with their own narratives and ambitions for the season ahead.
