The Wallabies’ build-up for the massively anticipated British & Irish Lions sequence has been dealt a major blow, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s Tremendous Rugby season now nearly definitely over resulting from a fractured jaw.
Suaalii was carted off Allianz Stadium final Friday night time late in a medicab within the first half of the Waratahs’ seven-point loss to the Crusaders, with early indications being that he had suffered solely a concussion.
However the Waratahs on Wednesday confirmed their star recruit’s analysis to be considerably worse, revealing he had suffered a small jaw fracture which means he’s unlikely to put on sky blue once more this yr.
“Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sustained a concussion final Friday night time within the NSW Waratahs’ Tremendous Rugby Pacific sport towards the Queensland Reds which was managed by the match day medical group,” a Waratahs assertion learn.
“He was monitored and has settled nicely from his concussion. Nonetheless, over the following days he developed soreness which has been subsequently investigated and has proven a small undisplaced fracture of the jaw.
“In session with specialists, it has been decided {that a} small operation to strengthen the realm is the very best path ahead. It will end in a evaluate after 4 weeks and return to play primarily based on that evaluate.”
With the Waratahs at the moment eighth on the Tremendous Rugby ladder, 4 factors adrift of the sixth-placed Hurricanes, NSW are prone to must win all three of their closing video games to achieve the playoffs.
Given they play the Crusaders at house on Friday, earlier than travelling to Perth after which Auckland to battle the Drive and Blues respectively, the percentages of them reaching the finals are lengthening.
“That is unlucky for us and particularly for Joseph. We want him all the very best in his restoration and return to full well being,” Waratahs coach Dan McKellar stated.
“We’ll do all we are able to to facilitate his restoration in session with Rugby Australia to have him in the very best form attainable for his availability for the Wallabies.”
Undisplaced fractures of the jaw sometimes take between 4 and 6 weeks to heal, although restoration can typically take longer if surgical procedure is required, as it’s with Suaalii.
This might be Suaalii’s second stint on the sidelines this season after he missed three video games earlier within the yr due to a foot damage. He had been in spectacular type since his return, nonetheless, starring at fullback as his rugby re-education continued underneath McKellar’s watchful eye.
Whereas he has time to get better earlier than the Wallabies face Fiji in Newcastle on July. 6, two weeks earlier than the primary Take a look at towards the Lions in Brisbane, the actual fact he’s probably to not lace a boot between from time to time is not going to be welcome information for Joe Schmidt.
The Wallabies coach solely on Monday stated that whereas he didn’t care whether or not Suaalii performs within the midfield, as he did on final yr’s spring tour, or at fullback, it was merely vital that he continued to get time within the saddle.
“Yeah, I am eager to see him hold enjoying. I feel that he is missed a number of video games already this season,” Schmidt advised reporters. “He hasn’t had that many video games anyway. So, for Joseph, I feel it is vital that he simply hold enjoying when he is match and obtainable to play… I feel one of many beauties of enjoying 15 is you see the entire sport in entrance of you, and so for Joseph, he is had that chance.
“However then, they do not use him like a standard 15 both. He comes into the entrance line on some set performs, and leads to the entrance line on events, the attempt towards the Brumbies, the place 15s do not often take flat balls off line outs, and issues like that. So, yeah, I feel for Joseph, it is simply nice to see him on the market and enjoying.”
If Suaalii wasn’t to make his return towards Fiji, the opposite choice for Schmidt could be to ship him to Adelaide with the Australia-New Zealand Invitational group. Nonetheless, on condition that sport is just per week out from the primary Take a look at in Brisbane, it is extra probably the Wallabies would hold him in camp.
Within the meantime, the Waratahs are going through a positional reshuffle for Friday’s must-win conflict with the Crusaders. It is probably Andrew Kellaway will shift into the No. 15 jersey, although the Waratahs will verify their 23 in a while Wednesday.
