By Jon Geddes

IT was the stunning performance that brought back memories of Mark, Glen and Gary Ella dominating  Shute Shield games with Randwick in the early 1980s.

Forty years later, the ringmasters were brothers Reece and Rilloy Suesue who were responsible for all the Western Sydney Two Blues’ points in their 31-26 win over a spirited Southern Districts on Saturday at Forshaw Park.

No.10 Reece scored a try, showed great vision in setting up another with a superbly timed floating pass for teammate Sitiveni Moceidreke to cross, as well as producing a faultless kicking display with four conversions and a penalty.

It capped big afternoon for the sharp five-eighth, who stepped up to skipper the first grade team after secondrower Dan Faleafa was a late withdrawal.

Halfback Rilloy also crossed for a try and was responsible for the one scored by fullback Christian Papas with his smart grubber kick.

No wonder Two Blues coach Sailosi Tagicakibau says the dynamic scrumbase duo should be on the radar of Super Rugby and Major League Rugby franchises.

It appears inevitable that the pair will get a crack at a higher level – hopefully in Australia.      

A SMART MOVE

THE Suesues always had footballs in their hands from the time they started playing rugby league as youngsters in the inner-Auckland suburb of  Ponsonby.

Rilloy was playing rugby in Auckland when he reached out to Tagicakibau prior to the 2022 season looking for an opportunity to further his footy career.

In a bonus for the Two Blues, Reece followed when he finished his accountancy degree to link up with his older brother once again on the rugby field.

Under the guidance of Tagicakibau, who represented Samoa in three World Cups, their rugby has developed to the level of what they produced  on the weekend.

“In their first year Reece and Rilloy weren’t part of my first grade outfit, they were part of the top squad but still trying to find their feet in the competition,” the coach said .

“I would say last year was their breakthrough season.”

SUPER TALENTS

TAGICAKIBAU says the brothers are now ready to take the next step in their rugby careers.

“This is probably the year I believe people should be taking a serious look at them,” Tagicakibau said.

“It would be scary to see them both in the professional environment – they have not been part of that before and having that exposure would really push those guys to another level.”          

BR0THERS-IN-ARMS

OFF the field as well as on it, the Suesues are having a significant impact on the Two Blues.

“They are the core of our club and everything good that happens at the Two Blues,’’ Tagicakibau said.

“They are committed to our club, they drive the culture, they drive the standards.

“They are professional about how they go about their business and they  drive others to do well.

“And in saying that they leave everything out on the field.”

BEST IS YET TO COME   

SATURDAY’S victory  sees the Two Blues sitting in sixth spot, on equal points with Randwick (fourth) and Warringah (fifth).

“There is a lot of room for improvement, so I am looking forward to that journey with this group of boys,” Tagicakibau said. “We are still building towards our best performance.

“At the moment we are three from four, so I will take a lot of positives out of that.”

On Saturday, the Two Blues take on the Wildfires in Newcastle.