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.

NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has lauded his side's "belief in each other" after a battling come-from-behind win over the Otago 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.

Code-crossing star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was hugely influential as the Waratahs scored a last-minute try to win a 37-36 roller-coaster encounter in Sydney.