When it comes to dishing out God’s gifts, you feel the Almighty could be a little more even-handed. Take Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for example. He is the extraordinary young centre who helped steer Australia to that exhilarating victory over England at Twickenham last weekend in one of the most thrilling games ever seen there. Suaalii was playing his first ever senior match in rugby union at the age of just 21. As a youngster his school had to seek special dispensation for him to play in the first XV as he was under 14. He later switched to rugby league and at 17 made his debut for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. Two years later Rugby Australia coughed up £2.6 million to get him to switch codes again back to the 15-man game.
As a youngster, Suaalii’s school had to seek special dispensation for him to play in the first XV as he was under 14
And now here he was in a beleaguered Wallabies team, facing a possible demolition by England. After all, they had already shipped 67 points to Argentina in the Rugby Championship. But here, the Wallabies were inspired in a marvellous game. At the heart of it all was Suaalii. He’s 16½ stone and 6ft 5in, and possessed of a perfect athletic build. He is a brilliant rugby player and an outstanding athlete, and clearly has been since he could barely stand. For heaven’s sake Lord, give the rest of us a look-in.
Australia played rugby like the Harlem Globetrotters, whipping the ball along the back line with a mesmerising series of balletic leaps, tip-ons, flicks and offloads. It was a superb team effort, though without Suaalii it would be hard to see the Aussies winning. England could have won but losing is still losing: a very bad habit.
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in