With so many big matches and events he has already been a part of, it is easy to forget that Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii is still only a 10-Test Wallaby.
Currently enjoying his first ever trip to South Africa, victory at Ellis Park ranks among some big wins in Suaalii’s career alongside incredible win results against England and Wales, and defeating the British & Irish Lions.
But the match in Johannesburg was something else, the 22-year-old admitting it was a ‘frantic’ experience.
“The first [half] was quite frantic,” Suaalii told reporters on Monday night.
“The power shown [by the Springboks], the skill. I'm really proud of the way we handled that situation.
“That first 18 minutes was a whirlwind: but after that we stuck to what we could do, what we could focus on and honestly, I was just real proud of the way we fought back into the game.”
The Wallabies since have arrived in Cape Town ahead of Saturday’s rematch, with Will Skelton and James O’Connor earlier revealing preparations had begun immediately after full time in Johannesburg.
For Suaalii, the chance to not only play against the world champion Springboks but enjoy a part of world he’s never experienced has been one of the joys that brought him back over from rugby league.
“It's exciting for myself,” Suaalii smiled.
“You're going against some of the best players in the world. We're excited for us as a backline to test ourselves. It was a great battle last week, but this week will be very exciting too.
“I want to see them [young kids] enjoy coming over to South Africa for the first time, even just experiencing what the life in South Africa, especially in Jo’burg, what it's like around there. Going to a safari, that whole week, training that.
“A different altitude, a whole different experience. As a young kid growing up, that was something I really wanted to do: travel the world and play in different countries and go against the best.
“Playing at Ellis Park, my family in the crowd, my partner's family in the crowd. Nothing beats it. To get the win was a very special moment for this team, my family, myself.
“I really enjoyed the whole week. I'm just enjoying Cape Town now. I'm enjoying it.”
The result at Ellis Park has only grown Suaalii’s reputation as one of rugby’s rising global stars, iced by his first international Test try.
However, the centre says he's firmly grounded with his teammates proving a critical ‘family away from family.’
“Honestly, [I’m] just enjoying every single part of what rugby union brings,” Suaalii added.
“The biggest growth is the travel, traveling away from family, creating friendships with teammates. That's been a big thing too.
“I've been in league, you're in a different environment. Coming across, I feel like you live with the boys here. They become your family away from your family. I'm really enjoying building different relationships, experiencing different things in different countries with your best mates.
“I'm really enjoying that aspect of my personal growth. I'm 22 years old now. I'm just enjoying what the game of rugby brings.
“Going to South Africa, playing against the Lions. Just travelling the world. I feel like that's something that every young kid wants to do as a kid.
“Just enjoying the dream that's been created.
“The game of rugby is just not me. There's 23 players, there's more.
“You've got the whole training week with the players that don't get picked and then you've got coaches and everyone. So it's just not me. Obviously there's talk around it, but at the end of the day it's a team sport.
“I don't really see it as pressure on me. It's how can I be best for the team.”
A strong performance comes with expectation, and with South Africa expected to provide a swift response, Suaalii and the wider squad plan to make effective use of their time in Cape Town ahead of Saturday.
“They’ll come out firing. We know that,” he said.
“After a loss you tend to lick your wounds and they'll be the same as they were in the first 18 minutes, but I reckon for the whole 80.
“We've got to be at our best.”
