Joseph Suaalii has ‘all the afterburners on’ ahead of return from injury for Waratahs

High profile code hopper Joseph Suaalii has overcome his injury woes and will return to action for the Waratahs in their Super Rugby Pacific campaign this weekend.

That was the word from Waratahs assistant coach Mike Catt who revealed that the Wallabies outside back is fit and raring to go ahead of their clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.

‘He’s had a good four weeks off’

“Joe’s trained well – it was a tough session today,” he told Nine’s Wide World of Sports on Tuesday. “He’s had a good four weeks off, cleared the head and mind.

“He’s got all the afterburners on.”

The 21-year-old made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in their tournament opener against the Highlanders and put in a solid performance as the Sydneysiders secured a narrow 37-36 victory.

Suaalii caught the eye with some excellent performances at outside centre for the Wallabies during their 2024 end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Despite those fine midfield showings, Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar selected the former rugby league star at full-back and he caught the eye with an impressive attacking display.

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Suaalii finished that encounter with 73 metres gained after making 11 runs which included two clean breaks and three defenders beaten.

However, the Wallabies star’s performance was overshadowed by a toe injury sustained in that match which has kept him on the sidelines for more than a month and Waratahs supporters will be delighted that he is set to be back in action this weekend.

Selection headache for McKellar

With Suaalii on the comeback trail, it means McKellar will have a selection headache for the Hurricanes clash as Andrew Kellaway has been solid at full-back since moving to that position.

Max Jorgensen and Triston Reilly also impressed in last week’s win over the Brumbies which means Suaalii could make his return via the replacements bench against the Hurricanes.

“It’s what we want,” said Catt.

“We want the Triston Reillys and the Darbys (Lancaster) to come through to put pressure on the guys that have come back.

“The beauty about the resting is Dan’s known about that from day one. That’s all been in the planning. We know it’s happening. It’s good for the player to have that rest not just physically but mentally and emotionally too for them to rejig and go again.”

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