Wallabies fullback Tom Wright has praised Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's growth in the midfield whilst backing him to star wherever he finds himself on the field.
It comes as Suaalii finished last week’s game on the wing as the Wallabies closed out a three-point win over Japan, moving out there to accomodate the debuting Isaac Henry.
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It’s a position that has been mooted by fans and pundits alike for the freakish talent, who started his Super Rugby career at fullback.
Outside centre has been his primary position at Test level, with his impact evident after leading the Wallabies for tackle busts (12) alongside Rob Valetini during the Nations Championship.
"At the moment I've seen his game grow so, so well in the 13 position," Wright told reporters.
"I think he's such a good player for us and such a team first guy. No mention from him as to, he wants to do this, doesn't want to do this. Wherever you put me, I'll just jump at. We talk about team first in this group and he's absolutely leading that."
The Wallabies fullback was confident the Waratah could thrive wherever in the backline, even at flyhalf if required.
“Leave it ambiguous, they won't know where he's going to go,” Wright joked on the discussion.
“I think ‘Su’ could jump into anywhere. You could mould him into an inside centre if you wanted him to; you could give him enough time to play flyhalf. I think he'd also jump at the opportunity to do that. He's going to be brilliant wherever we put him.
“I think being that talented is a first world problem. I think for there to be so many opinions on it, it means that he's almost too good for people just to be happy with where he's at…It's almost like an asset for him though when other teams maybe don't know where he's going to fit in because he can cover multiple positions.”
Like Suaalii, there are several players within that backline that could float between positions.
Harry Potter has been one of the Wallabies’ best since his return against Italy, one of several who can swap between the back three. Filipo Daugunu was used as a centre by Les Kiss in certain stages of 2026 for the Reds, whilst even Ben Donaldson has experience at fullback for the Wallabies, starting there during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
This is a weapon according to Wright, with the likes of Dylan Pietsch and Corey Toole waiting with the wingers, along with Mark Nawaqanitawase, set to return to Rugby Union at the end of the year.
“I think the versatility that we've got pretty much across the entire backline is something that potentially is a weapon for us being able to change the point of attack,“ he believes.
“We saw ‘Su’ on the wing for the last 10 minutes there but the makeup of out bench gave us coverage in many different areas, I was on the wing for a period of time there as well.”
