Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii takes a bold stance as the Wallabies seek to build on their impressive rugby championship victory, achieved at high altitude, with another historic triumph over the Springboks.
After the euphoria of defeating the current world champions 38-22 in Johannesburg, the Wallabies must prepare to face a wounded Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.
Australia hasn’t beaten South Africa in Cape Town since 1992.
However, after stunning the Springboks for the first time in 62 years at Ellis Park, Suaalii is confident that the Wallabies can repeat the feat in the next Rugby Championship encounter.
“Without fear, I believe, in my opinion. Without fear,” Suaalii stated before a training session on Monday.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
“We are focused on ourselves. That’s all we can do.”
We know they will give their best during the 80 minutes, so we have to prepare for 90.
They will come out with everything. We know it. After a defeat, one tends to lick their wounds.”Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii dice que los Wallabies están listos para enfrentar la furia de los Springboks después de una victoria histórica en Johannesburgo.The Springboks seemed headed for a rout after scoring three tries in the first 17 minutes in Jo’burg.
Suaalii prepares for an equally fierce start from the Springboks this weekend.
“The first (fourth) was quite frantic,” he commented.
“The strength demonstrated, the skill. I am very proud of how we handled that situation. Those first 18 minutes were a whirlwind.
But, after that, we stuck to what we could do, what we could focus on, and honestly, I was very proud of how we fought to get back in the game.”
After participating in a memorable try in Australia’s victory in the third match against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney earlier this month, superstar Suaalii scored his first international try in last Saturday’s incredible comeback, after being 22-0 down.
“When I was a kid, that was something I really wanted to do: travel the world and play in different countries and face the best,” said the center that has changed code.
“And then to play at Ellis Park, with my family in the crowd, my partner’s family in the crowd, nothing beats it.”
Then, achieving victory was a very special moment for this team, my family, me… (my) greatest growth is traveling far from family, creating friendships with your teammates.
You are in a different environment, you live with the guys here, and they become your family away from your family.
So I really enjoy building different relationships and experiencing different things in different countries with your best friends.”
Tate McDermott, the scrum-half turned savior, says Australia’s stunning triumph over the Springboks will mean little if the Wallabies don’t deliver another big performance.
“Obviously, it was a moment of great pride. It had been more than 60 years since we got a result at Ellis Park, so it was a great occasion,” said McDermott, who again stood firm on the wing after replacing the injured Dylan Pietsch in Jo’burg before taking over from the starting number 9, Nic White, to help secure the game.
“We’ve been talking a lot about how we’re going in the right direction and that was another step.
But it doesn’t mean much if we don’t back it up this weekend.”
