Suaalii creating Wallabies selection headache for Lions series

By Luke Pentony, ABC

It is a selection quandary Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt must surely welcome.

Where will he play Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii when the Wallabies clash with the British and Irish Lions later this year?

Schmidt started Suaalii at outside centre in three of the Wallabies tests on last year's spring tour as he looked to ease the 21-year-old into professional rugby following four seasons in the NRL.

Suaalii played fullback for the Waratahs against the Highlanders in the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific but subsequently spent more than a month on the sidelines nursing a toe injury.

When Suaalii returned against the Hurricanes in round seven, he was selected at outside centre, but Max Jorgensen's syndesmosis injury saw him switch to fullback.

Despite the Waratahs' fade-out in the 45-28 away defeat to Moana Pasifika in the following round, Suaalii was outstanding, as he was again in last Friday night's boilover win against the Chiefs in Sydney.

His first-half try in the 21-14 triumph showcased his ability to manipulate space and the incredible physical strength he possesses, as All Black Damian McKenzie can attest to after being brushed aside when the dual international made his way to the line.

Suaalii's work rate in attack and defence is noteworthy and he's adopting the same 'roving commission' approach Will Jordan employs for the competition-leading Crusaders.

Schmidt has made no public statements about how his squad will look against the Lions, but Suaalii is building a compelling case to wear the number 15 jersey.

Incumbent Tom Wright has been a solid performer for the ACT Brumbies this season, however, and his consistent form for the Wallabies in 2024 must be considered when selectors name their squad.

For now, there are seven rounds remaining in Super Rugby Pacific's regular season before the Waratahs and Brumbies potentially contest the finals, giving Suaalii and Wright ample opportunity to sell their wares.

Waratahs back to winning ways

The Waratahs' return to form was timely, as a defeat would have seen them slip to a 4-4 win-loss record.

Beating the Chiefs meant the Waratahs retain their spot inside the top six and they hold down fifth place ahead of round 10.

Some will argue this stage of the season is too early to rate player stocks when it comes to test selection.

But the fact all four Australian teams are in the top six means no Wallabies aspirant can afford to give up ground to the rivals ahead of the Lions series.

Loose forward Langi Gleeson was among the Waratahs' best against the Chiefs and winger Andrew Kellaway showed his younger teammates the value of his experience.

Kellaway was pivotal in the Waratahs' remarkable length-of-the-field try early in the second half, straightening the attack when the play was still inside the 22, prior to offloading the ball to Suaalii.

He then remained in support to throw the final pass to Teddy Wilson, who iced the five-pointer under the posts.

Valetini firing on all cylinders

If there were any concerns about Rob Valetini's fitness since returning from a hamstring injury, they were surely allayed by his performance in the Brumbies' 39-26 win over the Queensland Reds on Saturday night.

Valetini missed the opening five rounds of Super Rugby Pacific and the Brumbies had wisely managed his playing minutes since he made his season debut against the Waratahs last month.

In Brisbane, Valetini - starting at blindside flanker - was at his devastating best in attack, crashing over a hapless Tim Ryan from close range to score the Brumbies' opening try.

He bumped off would-be tackler Zane Nonggorr with another of his carries, physically asserting himself on the match.

Valetini also put up his hand in defence and his presence on both sides of the ball went a long way to the Brumbies recording a richly deserved victory and moving to third place on the ladder.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham would have dearly loved having Valetini available at the start of the competition but from a Wallabies' perspective, his injury may have been a blessing in disguise.

The Wallabies' 2024 test program didn't conclude until the end of November and the additional time on the sidelines seems to have left Valetini freshened up in the build-up the Lions series.

Wilson forced to play catch-up

The absence of Wallabies captain Harry Wilson due to a fractured arm was noticeable in the Reds' loss to the Brumbies, with the hosts missing his on-field leadership.

Tate McDermott may have the 'C' next to his name for the Reds, but Wilson's presence gives them a massive boost, as he showed when he led by example in the 29-23 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin in round six.

Wilson is set to be sidelined for six weeks, meaning he's likely to be back for the final two rounds of the regular season.

The fourth-placed Reds are no certainties to make the finals, as consecutive losses to the Chiefs and Brumbies have put a dint in their campaign after they led the competition a few weeks back.

Whenever Wilson returns, his match fitness will be closely monitored by Schmidt, although he does have time up his sleeve with the Wallabies' not taking the field until July 6 when they face Fiji in Newcastle.

Hooper on selectors' radar

Should Wilson be fully fit by the time of the first test against the Lions on July 19 in Brisbane, it's difficult to see Wallabies selectors changing the back-row formation they finished with in 2024.

Wilson and Valetini (at blindside flanker) were part of a formidable trio alongside openside flanker Fraser McReight when the Wallabies narrowly went down to Ireland 22-19 in Dublin in the final Test of their spring tour.

But if Wilson's form came under scrutiny once he's back on the pitch, or if there's a recurrence of his arm injury, Wallabies selectors may opt to use Valetini or Gleeson at number eight against the Lions.

This could mean the likes of Tom Hooper are considered at blindside flanker.

When Hooper signed with Exeter Chiefs for the 2025/26 English Premiership season, it appeared his hopes of playing the Lions series were dashed.

But Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh's declaration the Wallabies will put their "best possible team onto the field" opened the door for Hooper and Gleeson, who is also heading offshore later this year.

Hooper - who made his test debut in 2023 - has been in superb form for the Brumbies this season, sharing his time between blindside flanker and lock.

He was instrumental in the Brumbies' 21-20 upset win over the Blues in round four, winning three turnovers, completing 19 tackles and making a team-high 20 carries at Eden Park.

His ability to play hard over the ball at the breakdown was illustrated again in Brisbane last Saturday night, while he was also the Brumbies' primary line-out target against the Reds, having played at lock in the local derby.

At the very least, Hooper would add utility value off the bench against the Lions if Wilson avoids any complications with his return from injury.

- First published on ABC Sport