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Joseph Suaalii

The final International Rugby match of 2024 is now over at the hands of Ireland, who defeated the Wallabies by a three point gap win in front of a brilliant crowd at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, 22-19. 

Hats off to Ireland on what it takes to still be the World’s No.1 ranked team, having successfully played catch up after the half break where it was enough to see them out at full-time. We will see more from a few of their best players for the our Lions Tour in July-August 2025 – bring it on.

Meanwhile, love their good start by the Wallabies when they were in a good position earlier on by eight (5-13). But their inability to make some quick decisions really cost them dearly even if it’s by little. Keep working at it & sure there will be more glorious days again soon enough at the earliest with Joe Schmidt.

Now that we’ve hit December 1 from our end to start the long three-month summer, there’s Test Cricket v India with the five-test series trophy at the moment for the next few weeks going into the 2nd Test for the Day/Nighter at Adelaide Oval starting Friday, then come January it’s the three-week long Australian Open Tennis from Melbourne Park.

Can’t wait for that as Rugby will be back at our shores starting with the 11-team Super Rugby season for 2025 (it’s been 30 years now) will start a bit earlier than usual from Feb-June for 16 rounds with two byes – plus there’s a new-look six team Playoffs series before the home Lions tour plus Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and many more!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and short off-season!

Great to see two of the Irish best loose forwards on show who are both muscular, has lots of experience between them and top-notch powerful to grind no matter how you want it & when you want it. All you have to do is ask them to join for a test drive and they’ll show you how it’s done – even if it’s the toughest on all conditions.

Here comes Josh Van Der Flier on the open flank 7 & Captain Caelan Doris at 8. 

They proved to be a massive difference from turning the tide, particularly in the 2nd following the Wallabies’ excellent start, to capping off an unreal win against an improved team under someone they know well before in Joe Schmidt. Now that means business as Ireland continues to keep their spot as their No.1 ranked team.

And it was a close loss from the Wallabies when they need to make quick and clear decisions right from the word go – despite their brilliant start but they’re getting there thanks to Joseph Suaalii (outside 13).

He could’ve won that game had Taniela Tupou been able to pass the ball on time – c’mon Nella, you should be better than that but one of our best tight props also. 

Bring on Joseph in a Tahs shirt now because he loves challenges & has done so much with the Sydney Roosters in NRL.

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This morning, the Wallabies couldn’t believe they were over the moon on what has been a win they will always remember after defeating England for the first time since 2012 by five points (37-42) at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. 

The Wallabies will also be able to take home the Ella-Mobbs Trophy since it’s a one-match series as part of the annual Spring Tour in Europe rather than a three-match contest on Aussie soil during the mid-year that usually takes place every once in a while like a few years.

And it’s never been a better time to have NRL convert from the Sydney Roosters onboard in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalili at outside 13. Yes, he’s been established in league across all the backline roles over the years as he hasn’t played union since he was a teen at schoolboy level. But so far, so good from the man who will do whatever it takes to return the Wallabies’ former glory of old like it was in the past. 

Now the work isn’t done yet with Wales to come next weekend on a Monday morning at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. It should be an easy one considering Wales haven’t been that good at all regardless of their next game v Fiji tomorrow, having seen the Wallabies already won all two matches against them back in July on home soil.

Easy to give Len Ikitau the performance he deserves on the inside 12 alongside Rugby League convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalili at outside 13, whom they’ve both been a brilliant pair to work with together right away for the green & gold. They couldn’t stop grinding with the way they clear off these decks while able to find the right moments as seen a few times throughout the match including that game-winning assist for Max Jorgensen from Ikitau as seen every year with the Brumbies. Now with Joseph onboard, let’s hope this is the first of many fresh starts like this win today v England as still long way to go.

Then there’s Angus Bell who continues to be at his best on the loosehead Wallabies front row. It’s also great to see him clearing & locking up the English pack with plenty more to offer in a Suaalili-led Waratahs side next year under ex-Brumbied coach Dan McKellar. Yes, he had his fair share of injuries over the years but everyone needs him to stay fit. We do need him to make up more game-changing performances going into a jam-packed 2025 including the Home British & Irish Lions tour & today’s series win is the first of many they’ve prepared for v one of the best British teams for Joe Schmidt.

And Chandler Cunningham-South has been a revelation off the back of his outstanding start with two early tries for England in the blindside 6 jersey.  He’s also Kiwi made too when growing up who can beat his man at the right place at the right time – no wonder he’s been so destructive there as the towering loose forward. But not his day today when England just couldn’t learn their lesson from last week’s close loss v the ABs & they’ve slipped away once again this time both another loss & also the series trophy.

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