Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set for jaw surgery in blow to Wallabies’ Lions preps
The Wallabies’ build-up for the hugely anticipated British & Irish Lions series has been dealt a significant blow, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s Super Rugby season now almost certainly over due to a fractured jaw.
Suaalii was carted off Allianz Stadium last Friday night late in a medicab in the first half of the Waratahs’ seven-point loss to the Crusaders, with early indications being that he had suffered only a concussion.
But the Waratahs on Wednesday confirmed their star recruit’s diagnosis to be significantly worse, revealing he had suffered a small jaw fracture that means he is unlikely to wear sky blue again this year.
“Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sustained a concussion last Friday night in the NSW Waratah’s Super Rugby Pacific game against the Queensland Reds which was managed by the match day medical team.
“He was monitored and has settled well from his concussion. However, over the ensuing days he developed soreness which has been subsequently investigated and has shown a small undisplaced fracture of the jaw.
“In consultation with specialists, it has been determined that a small operation to reinforce the area is the best path forward. This will result in a review after four weeks and return to play based on that review.”
With the Waratahs currently eighth on the Super Rugby ladder, four points adrift of the sixth-placed Hurricanes, NSW are likely to need to win all three of their closing games to reach the playoffs.
Given they play the Crusaders at home on Friday, before travelling to Perth and then Auckland to battle the Force and Blues respectively, the odds of them reaching the finals are lengthening.
“This is unfortunate for us and especially for Joseph. We wish him all the best in his recovery and return to full health,” Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said.
“We will do all we can to facilitate his recovery in consultation with Rugby Australia to have him in the best shape possible for his availability for the Wallabies.”
This will be Suaalii’s second stint on the sidelines this season after he missed three games earlier in the year because of a foot injury. He had been in impressive form since his return, however, starring at fullback as his rugby re-education continued under McKellar’s watchful eye.
While he has plenty of time to recover before the Wallabies face Fiji in Newcastle on July. 6, two weeks before the first Test against the Lions in Brisbane, the fact he is likely not to lace a boot between now and then will not be welcome news for Joe Schmidt.
The Wallabies coach only on Monday said that while he did not care whether Suaalii plays in the midfield, as he did on last year’s spring tour, or at fullback, it was simply important that he continued to get time in the saddle.
“Yeah, I’m keen to see him keep playing. I think that he’s missed a few games already this season,” Schmidt told reporters. “He hasn’t had that many games anyway. So, for Joseph, I think it’s important that he just keep playing when he’s fit and available to play… I think one of the beauties of playing 15 is you see the whole game in front of you, and so for Joseph, he’s had that opportunity.
“But then, they don’t use him like a normal 15 either. He comes into the front line on some set plays, and ends up in the front line on occasions, the try against the Brumbies, where 15s don’t usually take flat balls off line outs, and things like that. So, yeah, I think for Joseph, it’s just great to see him out there and playing.”
If Suaalii wasn’t to make his return against Fiji, the other option for Schmidt would be to send him to Adelaide with the Australia-New Zealand Invitational team. However, given that game is only a week out from the first Test in Brisbane, it’s more likely the Wallabies would keep him in camp.
In the meantime, the Waratahs are facing a positional reshuffle for Friday’s must-win clash with the Crusaders. It’s likely Andrew Kellaway will shift into the No. 15 jersey, though the Waratahs will confirm their 23 later on Wednesday.
Source: espn.com