Scotland have flagged their intention to exploit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s lack of rugby experience by targeting his defence at Murrayfield on Monday morning. The two-Test recruit is set to be recalled to the Wallabies’ starting side to meet the Scots, following the suspension of Samu Kerevi . After a successful outing against England at Twickenham , Suaalii and in-form centre Len Ikitau will re-united in the midfield.
Coach Joe Schmidt names his side on Saturday morning (AEDT) and Jake Gordon is also expected to return at halfback after recovering from a head cut, and winger Harry Potter could be in line for a Test debut, with Dylan Pietsch having left the tour due to a calf injury. Scotland coach Gregor Townsend was impressed with Suaalii’s debut in London but rival no.13 Huw Jones gave strong clues the Scots have also strategised how to expose the NRL convert in defence.
The defensive reads of rugby league converts are often targeted by rugby union coaches, and though England didn’t effectively isolate Suaalii, stats sheets still show the 21-year-old still missed four of eight attempted tackles at Twickenham. He has been working hard at training at tackling lower, too, given the greater tolerance for high contact in league. Ollie Lawrence of England gets away from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at Twickenham.
Credit: Getty Images Asked if the Scots saw an opportunity in targeting Suaalii in defence, given it is only his third game in senior rugby, Jones said: “There is that.
