Joseph Suaalii ended up a winner in his Super Rugby Pacific debut as hooker Siosifa Amone's last-second try gave the New South Wales Waratahs a 37-36 victory over the Otago Highlanders in their season-opener on Friday.

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has lauded his side's "belief in each other" after a battling come-from-behind win over the Highlanders kick-started their Super Rugby season.

The Waratahs have overcome the Highlanders 37-36 in a thrilling encounter in Sydney, in a game that featured nine lead changes.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made his Waratahs debut against the Highlanders and was surprised at the intensity and pace of the game.

Joseph Suaalii will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut at fullback on Friday after being named in the New South Waratahs side for their season-opening clash against the Otago Highlanders at Sydney Football Stadium.

Super Rugby Pacific season got underway on Friday and here are Planet Rugby’s winners and losers from the Crusaders and Waratahs’ triumphs over the Hurricanes and Highlanders. In Christchurch, the Crusaders claimed a 33-25 victory over the Hurricanes in their New Zealand derby before the action moved to Sydney where the Waratahs beat the Highlanders 37-36 in a thriller.

Expectations for Joseph Sua'ali'i are sky-high, but Australian rugby union's newest star keeps delivering. After an impressive stint with the Wallabies at the back end of 2024, the former NRL player shined in his Super Rugby debut on Friday evening.