Wallabies fans are still hopeful as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii recovers from a broken jaw. The injury ended his Super Rugby Pacific season but might not stop him from playing in the British & Irish Lions tour.
The 21-year-old got hurt during the NSW Waratahs’ 28-21 loss to the Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium. He was stretchered off after getting hit in the head by teammate Andrew Kellaway’s knee. The hit left him dizzy and confused.
Minor surgery and 4-week healing time
What first looked like a mild concussion turned out to be more serious as Suaalii felt worse over the weekend. Even though he seemed fine at first, the pain didn’t go away. More tests were done, and X-rays showed a small jaw break that hadn’t moved out of place.
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The Waratahs later said he needed a small surgery to strengthen the area. Team doctors said healing usually takes about four weeks. After that, they’ll check if he’s ready to play again.
The injury means Suaalii can’t play in the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season. It’s a big blow for the Waratahs, who must win all three of their last games to have a chance at the finals. However, for the national team, the timing still works.
Australia’s first Test match is on 6 July against Fiji in Newcastle. The Lions game comes next on 19 July in Brisbane. That gives Suaalii a little over two months to heal and get fit, which is enough time if all goes well.
Wallabies hopeful before big games in July
Even with missed games, including earlier rounds he skipped because of a foot injury, Suaalii has done enough to stay in Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s plans. The former rugby league star, who played his first Test match last November against England, is seen as a key player for the upcoming series. The Wallabies are working closely with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia to help him recover.
NSW coach Dan McKellar said there’s no big reason to worry, calling the incident a small setback. McKellar shared that Suaalii is already back in the gym to stay fit. ‘He’s talking and doing everything normally, so he’s as good as gold. We play a sport that is collision-based and incredibly physical,’ he added.
Game shape and squad spot still unclear
Suaalii’s return to full contact will depend on how his jaw heals after surgery. Doctors will check his progress after the first four weeks. Since Super Rugby form matters in Wallabies selection, missing games could be a problem.
Coach Schmidt has said he looks at recent match form when picking players. With that, Suaalii might need to prove himself in training camps or team trials.
Moving forward
There was a clear moment of good sportsmanship during the injury. Suaalii’s family reached out to Reds player Filipo Daugunu. He quickly called for medical help when the injury happened. For now, fans can only hope that training and performance boosters like those found at Panda Snus review Australia can improve the rest of the team’s game.
Currently, Suaalii is working on getting better and staying well. The Lions tour is a big deal in Australian rugby. If he comes back, it will help the team a lot. His Super Rugby season ended early, but he still has a big chance ahead if he heals well.
