Joseph Suaalii is cranking up the confidence thermostat as the Wallabies gear up for a Rugby Championship sizzler against the Springboks in Cape Town this Saturday. Bouncing off a historic win in Johannesburg, where they flipped a 22-0 frown upside down to a 38-22 smile against the world champs, the boys in gold are not just ready—they're hungry.
Despite the Springboks itching to redeem themselves at sea level, Suaalii shared that the Wallabies' spirits are skyscraper-high. "They’ll come out firing. We know that. After a loss, you tend to lick your wounds," he remarked, confident in the team's preparation and mindset.
The young star reflected on the dizzying start at Ellis Park, "The first (quarter) was quite frantic. The power shown, the skill … that first 18 minutes was a whirlwind. But after that we stuck to what we could focus on and I was really proud of the way we fought back into the game." His testimony to the team's resilience shines a light on their newfound grit and grind.
"GAME ON! ?? Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i puts the Wallabies right back in the game ??"
Speaking of personal milestones, Suaalii couldn't hide his elation about scoring his first Test try in his third international appearance, "As a young kid growing up that was something I really wanted to do – travel the world, go against the best," he said. "To do it here, with my family and my partner’s family in the crowd, then to get the win … it was very special."
Tate McDermott, the scrumhalf with feet as quick as his wit, threw in a reality check, warning that past glories like their Johannesburg jubilee will mean little without a repeat performance. "It had been 60-odd years since we’d got a result at Ellis Park, so it was a huge occasion," McDermott stated. "But it doesn’t mean much if we don’t back it up this weekend. We’re on a journey. Respect is earned daily."
As the Wallabies lace up to face the fire of the Springboks' response, the stage is set for another epic showdown in the heart of Cape Town. It's clear these Aussies aren't just participating in the Rugby Championship; they're playing to rewrite its history.