Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii may be reluctant to reveal the details of his Murrayfield flashpoint with Sione Tuipulotu but is keen to revive their rivalry when Australia meet the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.
Suaalii snarled “I’ll see you next time” after he was forced off in the Wallabies’ defeat by Scotland following a heavyweight collision with Tuipulotu.
“Next time” comes in Brisbane if Tuipulotu is picked at inside centre for the series opener and Suaalii has declined to stoke the fires ahead of their rematch.
“There has been a lot of talk around that moment. At the end of the day, it’s a game of footie. Whatever is said on the field, stays on the field,” Suaalii said.
“I’m just focused on that I can do for the team – I’m not going to speak on it to be fair. I’m sure it’ll be a great challenge and a great battle.
“I respect my opposition, but at the same time I focus on myself and what I can bring, while focusing on my team-mates.”
Cross-code superstar Suaalii last year moved to union in a deal worth £2.61million over three years and the 21-year-old has revealed it was the prospect of facing the Lions that convinced him to switch.
“I’ve always dreamed I wanted to be a part of something so special that happens every 12 years, so that was probably the biggest thing coming across,” he said.
“Just to be a part of the squad is something so special for myself, my family and everyone that’s gotten me to this point.
“I was nine when the Lions came here in 2013 and remember watching it. In my house, all the young kids sit on the floor and I just remember being real close to the TV, watching it.
“It’s something so special as a kid that sparks you to do something great in your life, so to be a part of this squad, it’s amazing.”
See Lions Tour 2025 Fixtures for full schedule.