Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has put his hand up to kick goals for the NSW Waratahs as he prepares to make his Super Rugby debut against the Highlanders on February 14.
The Waratahs kick off their season at Allianz Stadium – a venue at which Suaalii remarkably nailed all 29 of his attempts when playing NRL for the Sydney Roosters.
Suaalii was highly impressive in opening his professional rugby career with the Wallabies on last year's Spring Tour but was understandably not burdened with the kicking tee.
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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Roosters kicks a conversion. Getty
"I've always practised kicking and obviously Tane (Edmed) has the role here and, yeah, I'm just trying to get that second spot now," Suaalii told reporters on Thursday.
"I think Andrew Kellaway's a good kicker as well, so I just need to just work out my process and just work at it every day, and then hopefully, just as time goes, just slowly, just get into that role of goalkicking."
Suaalii played in the centres for the Wallabies but trained mostly on the wing with the Waratahs in pouring Sydney rain.
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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii catches a ball at Waratahs training. NSW Waratahs
The freak athlete claimed he was not fussed about positions and new Waratahs coach Dan McKellar is keeping his cards close to his chest.
"He's a big physical bloke," McKellar said.
"He's tall, rangy, good size. He's got offload, he can kick. He's powerful in contact, he's aggressive. The thing that's impressed me most is his desire to want to work hard on his game and his character. He clearly comes from a really good family. He's the first on the field, he's the last off it. I've noticed that. Within any drill, he competes. He competes hard.
Jake Gordon, Dan McKellar and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Waratahs. NSW Waratahs
"He's obviously been blessed with a whole lot of talent on top of that work ethic. When you've got both of them, it's pretty scary."
The Waratahs look good on paper after a busy off-season but are rebuilding from the rubble of a wooden spoon season that led to Darren Coleman's demise.
"It's madness to think that an individual – we're not playing under-8s here – is going to do it all on his own," McKellar said.
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"He needs others. He needs his forward pack to provide a good set piece and a platform for him. If he does that, then he can play off the front foot of whoever's inside him. He's going to rely on others.
"It is not just going to be: 'get the ball to Joseph and let's go back to the halfway line' because that's not going to work."
Suaalii was still buzzing from his initial taste of Test rugby.
Australia's Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii celebrate after Max Jorgensen scores. Getty
"It was kind of crazy, 100 per cent I didn't realise how big the game of rugby was up north," Suaalii said.
"I think every time I was on a bus, it was just like driving in, you see the crowds, and it was just, honestly, it was unreal.
"Even just playing at Twickenham, I didn't realise how many people were in the crowd until you actually get out there and you're singing the anthem, and it was just great stuff. Playing in Ireland, Wales and Scotland as well. It was just experiencing the different cities and travel as a 21-year-old, it's a great thing."
Taniela Tupou and assistant coach Dan McKellar of the Wallabies celebrate in 2021. Getty
McKellar meanwhile dodged questions about the possibility of replacing Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach should he choose not to extend his contract beyond this year's British and Irish Lions tour.
"No, I'm just head down, bum up, just getting stuck into this," McKellar said.
"I'm contracted here for the next three years, so that's all I'm worrying about. We'll give Joe the space that he needs to make his decision and crack on."
