Wallabies midfielder Joe Suaalii says his World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination belongs as much to his teammates as it does to him.

The 22-year-old was on Tuesday confirmed as one of the four finalists.

Suaalii joins Ethan Hooker, Henry Pollock and Fabian Holland on the shortlist announced this week, adding to a standout first full year in Test rugby. The code-hopper was recently crowned Rugby Australia’s Rookie of the Year and has become a key figure in the Wallabies midfield alongside Len Ikitau.

“It’s pretty cool to get named,” Suaalii said in Paris. “No award goes without a team so it’s all credit to the team to be nominated for that award.”

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Suaalii burst onto the Test scene with a Man of the Match display on debut against England last year and has since evolved into one of Australia’s most influential backs. But he insists his game is built on far more than highlight-reel carries.

“I don’t think the game of rugby is just ball in hand,” he explained. “I believe you can make an impact defensively, aerially, helping other teammates to get in the space. That’s how I see the game.”

He added that continuing to broaden his skillset remains a priority.

“I’m still growing in this game … first year properly playing the game of rugby professionally so I’m just keeping chipping at it, just seeing where I can get better and improve.”

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Suaalii started at outside centre in last weekend’s heavy loss to Ireland in Dublin – the Wallabies’ third straight defeat and their seventh in nine Tests – but says the group hasn’t lost belief ahead of Sunday’s tour finale against France in Paris.

“The last three weeks has really tested our character,” he said. “The result hasn’t been there but the process… has gone really well in my opinion. [All our focus is] on today and … how we can get better and beat this French team on Sunday.”

Australia have not beaten France at Stade de France since 2016.

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