Wallabies coach shoots down staggering claims after Joseph Suaalii sparks hope of 40-year first

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has shut down any premature talk of Australia securing its first British Isles 'grand slam' in 40 years despite shocking the rugby world by snatching a dramatic victory over England on the weekend. Few gave Schmidt's side much hope of toppling England at their Twickenham stronghold after just one victory in the previous 11 Test matches against the old enemy. The Wallabies had also lost five of their six Tests in the recent Rugby Championship but looked like the Australia side of old as they secured a 42-37 comeback win.

On the back of the triumph, the prospect of a dramatic grand slam is no longer such a distant pipedream but Schmidt isn't getting ahead of himself. "The grand slam may still be alive," acknowledged Schmidt after the win. "But we won't look too far ahead."

The Wallabies will next face Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, a side who dismantled them at last year's World Cup. However, the Aussies will be buoyed by not only their dramatic triumph over England but also the fact Wales lost their last 10 Test matches, most recently losing 24-19 to Fiji on Sunday

If the Wallabies can pass the Wales challenge they will be halfway to their goal of emulating the Mark Ella-inspired class of 1984. To complete the 'grand slam' Australia then would have to topple Scotland and Ireland, which is a monumental task.

Yet even though Schmidt shut down talks an incredible slam is on the cards, there was no question the Wallabies' epic triumph on Saturday had already transformed the confidence of his squad. "I'm not sure we've turned it around. I think we're turning," Schmidt said.

"Inevitably, progress is never linear, so there'll be a few peaks and troughs on the way further forward, but I've found a really good bunch of people, both in the staff and in the playing group.

"The players can grow confidence in themselves. And I thought some of the skill exhibited, some of the things we've been working really hard on, were certainly visible, which gives us a bit of confidence, certainly gives the players a bit of confidence. I think there's green shoots."

Joseph Suaalii shines in Wallabies debut

Suaalii was hailed as a "freak" and "great" after his stellar Wallabies debut sparked hope of a 40-year first. The code-hopper's man-of-the-match display against England saw praise heaped on the star from his coach and teammates.

If you didn't know the backstory you would have been shocked to learn Suaalii hadn't played a game of rugby union for five years as, for the most part, he looked at home in the Wallabies jersey. Playing a full 80 minutes and playing a pivotal role in creating one try, the former NRL star was the toast of his more experienced teammates.

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"Obviously, it was a baptism of fire. He's put straight in there - but he was great, did his job, and he'll learn. And he'll get better," Fraser McReight said as he pointed to Suaalii playing a key role in the Wallabies' last-gasp winning try.

From the restart after England had just gone ahead through a 79th-minute Maro Itoje try, McReight noted: "I didn't know what to feel. We had another minute to go, and what had been working us all game was 'get Joseph up in the air'. He did that very well and we were able to get the ball back."

Joe Shmidt says Joseph Suaalii will only get better

And Schmidt, who controversially rewarded Suaalii's training efforts with a call-up couldn't have been happier with the star convert. "Joseph obviously got a few kick-offs back for us - he's an aerial freak - but at the same time, it was a good learning experience," said Schmidt.

"Particularly the way he prepared during the week, he was really professional. He was also really well supported (in the centres) by Lenny Ikitau, who was outstanding. He's still probably finding his feet in the game - there are such subtleties that are very different - but with his diligent work ethic, that professionalism and the athleticism that he possesses, I thought it was a really confidence-boosting debut."

with AAP