World Cup-winning Wallabies great Matt Burke believes the talent of million-dollar man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii would be best used in the Waratahs’ midfield, and not at fullback – the position he is being lined up to play in his Super Rugby debut this week.
Pending clearance from a knee injury that kept him out of the Waratahs’ trial match in Bowral last weekend, Suaalii will become a dual-code NSW representative on Friday when the Tahs meet the Highlanders in their season opener at Allianz Stadium.
Though Suaalii made his Wallabies debut at outside centre, the former Roosters star is likely to play fullback for the Waratahs. Coach Dan McKellar named Suaalii at No.15 against the Brumbies in the Southern Highlands hit-out but the 21-year-old was a late withdrawal due to a “minor” twinge his knee.
The withdrawal left open the debate about where Suaalii would be best deployed for NSW, and Burke is among those who believe the new recruit should be closer to the action.
“I would like to see him at 13,” Burke said. “I would love to see him play up front to start with.”
It would be hard to find anyone more qualified than Burke to opine on the subject. The 81-cap Wallaby, who booted Australia to victory in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, played both fullback and outside centre; amassing 54 caps at fullback and 20 at outside centre during a 12-year Test career.
Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii will be a star attraction for the Waratahs.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“Thirteen allows him to have a role where he can pick and choose when he runs. At 15, you play a bit more reactionary than anything else. When you get the ball you have to try and create something and there’s lots of responsibilities that go with the position,” Burke said.
“Whereas 13, you can just go, “Mate give it to me straight up, cut one” … really simple stuff, where he can get the ball early and get involved in the game early. His defence will be key as well. He is a big human, and he will be able to make impact with the ball in hand and without ball in hand.
“He may well be suited to move back to a 15 role down the track, but I reckon the easiest spot to pick him, and where you’d be confident and be getting him involved early, is that 13 role. We saw what he did in that Test match [against England], and you don’t want him to have to chase the ball.”
Suaalii impressed at No.13 on his Wallabies debut against England at Twickenham.Credit: Getty Images
Burke, who was inducted into the Rugby Australia Hall of Fame last year, shifted to outside centre later in his career for both the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
“Thirteen, I loved it in the end,” he said. “I reckon I got more involved at 13 than I did at 15 in those last few years, because you are in the front line. I loved making tackles and enjoyed that defence side, and he will enjoy that side too, in terms of being quite dominant in that area. That just allows you to be up front and get in the mix early.”
Burke will be on broadcast duties for Suaalii’s Super Rugby debut on Friday, having been signed by Stan Sport as their newest expert. The 51-year-old was recruited by Stan after departing Channel Ten last year after 11 years reading the sport on the nightly news, but Burke also worked on Ten’s rugby coverage when they held the rights.
“I am looking forward to it. One of the great things about [commentary] it is you get the chance to have an opinion and share your insights, which is a lot different to reading the news,” Burke said.
So how will the Waratahs – the wooden spooners of 2024 – fare this year then? Burke, who admits his vested interest as NSW Rugby president, says he’s been impressed with the new environment created by McKellar.
“There was no denying the effort of the guys last year but changes were made, and I am very encouraged so far, I see the intensity the new coach is bringing and an accountability,” Burke said.
“You look at some of those Friday morning contact sessions and it’s just brilliant to see that physicality.”
The news of Joe Schmidt’s departure at the end of the year is a blow, said Burke, but on the evidence of his influence in 2024, he believes the Wallabies will have a good base to continue working on under his successor.
“Who that will be I don’t know. Joe has been a really good coach and he has created something the players can hang on to, so that’s an upside. He had to start again from the previous coach and I think he’ll leave the guys with a really good knowledge and understanding of how to play. He will leave a blueprint.”
Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, kicking off on February 14, with every match ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
