Dual Rugby World Cup winner’s verdict on Wallabies’ new centre pairing

Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Tim Horn believes the Wallabies may have found their long-term midfield combination in Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. In Suaalii’s first Test match last weekend, the debutant and Ikitau stood out in Australia’s memorable win over England.

Suaalii has dominated headlines since switching codes from the NRL earlier this year, with the 21-year-old included in Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad before playing any Super Rugby or even Shute Shield. It was a bit controversial with some questioning Suaalii’s place in the national team's immediate plans.

It also remained a mystery as to what position the former Sydney Roosters flyer should play in rugby union. Suaalii had played both wing and centre for the Tricolours in the NRL, and coach Schmidt eventually landed on the midfield as the marquee recruit’s initial spot in rugby.

In the Wallabies’ first match on their Spring Tour, Suaalii was thrown into the deep end by earning a start against England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. On debut, the Wallaby was a human highlight reel – playing a decisive role in a dramatic 42-37 upset win at the famed venue.

Suaalii was rewarded with Player of the Match honours after that Test, but that award could’ve gone to a number of Wallabies who all stood tall on the November night. Ikitau was another of Australia’s best, having thrown a brilliant flick pass to set up Max Jorgensen’s match-winner.

“It would’ve been interesting what Joe Schmidt would’ve done if Hunter Paisami was fir for this Test match,” Horan said on Stan Sports’ Rugby Heaven. “Great combination they built and just the offloads they both got away and they backed themselves.

“It could be (the long-term combination). Yes, it’s only one Test match for the combination, but it could be a long-term opportunity for this Wallaby pairing.

“Sometimes they can swap too cause whether they’ve got 12 or 13 on their back doesn’t really matter, I don’t think with these two.”

Former Wallaby Cameron Shepherd added: “The great thing that Suaalii brought into the team was that ability to go inside on an unders line but also bounce on the outside. So many times he used his footwork, got to the outside… he’s got a variety of skills.

“I think the balance with Ikitau is working so well because it’s taking a bit of that pressure away from him.”

Suaalii’s first noticeable involvement as a Wallaby came off a kick-off, with the outside centre showing an incredible vertical leap to rise above England’s Maro Itoje. To do that is no easy feat, but that was just the start for Suaalii on a night that included some exciting highlights.

Following England’s strong start on the scoreboard, Suaalii’s crowning moment came by throwing a ‘basketball’ pass to Tom Wright to assist the fullback for a try. But just generally, the midfielder was lethal by clearly leaving English defenders in two minds.

In the final play of the game, Ikitau combined with Jorgensen for the match-winning try in the 84^th minute. But afterwards, Suaalii was in the thick of the celebrations – embracing Ikitau, and that picture could very well be referred to in years to come as the beginning of that pairing.

But throughout the match, Suaalii seemed to always be the one revving up teammates in key moments. There was a determined look on Suaalii’s face as he attempted to pump up other Wallabies, and it seemed to pay off in a big way on the scoreboard.

“What really impressed me about Joseph was his enthusiasm, the whole team. He was going up to players, grabbing them by the best and pumping guys up,” Horan explained.

“That was really important. I can’t wait for the next couple of Test matches to see him in space with ball in hand.

“… I think he’s a player, by listening to him, that’s got his feet on the ground. He understands he’s got to improve in a lot of different areas.

“We didn’t see a lot of him with ball in hand in open space so I can’t wait to see that. Also defensively, he jammed up a couple of times which was good, he waited for Len Ikitau so he’s trying to work together in that centre pairing.”