Waratahs ‘not taking any risks’ with Joseph Suaalii in latest update on injured Wallabies star

After being ruled out through injury for the past month, high-profile code hopper Joseph Suaalii is close to a return to action for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific.

Suaalii made his debut for the Waratahs in their tournament opener against the Highlanders and delivered a solid performance as the Sydneysiders clinched a narrow 37-36 victory.

Shone at full-back for the Waratahs

Although the 21-year-old impressed at outside centre for the Wallabies on last year’s end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar selected him at full-back and he caught the eye with an impressive attacking display.

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 an injury sustained in that match and Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar revealed at the time that Suaalii is set for some time on the sidelines.

“It’s not long-term. It’s a toe injury, something you don’t deal with every day,” McKellar told Nine’s Wide World of Sports. “It’s not like a medial ligament or an AC (acromioclavicular joint), so we’re hopeful it’ll only be a couple of weeks.”

That meant Suaalii missed the Waratahs’ victories over the Fijian Drua and the Western Force as well as Saturday’s defeat against the Reds but he is close to a full recovery and could make his return against the Brumbies in Sydney this weekend.

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Waratahs assistant coach Dan Palmer was tight-lipped about Suaalii’s availability for selection for the Brumbies clash although he admitted that his recovery process is on track.

‘He’s progressing well’

“He’s just progressing through his rehab,” assistant coach Dan Palmer told the Roar on Tuesday. “He was on the field today and he was moving quite well. So yeah, he’s progressing well.”

Palmer remained coy when asked if Suaali could be back in action this weekend.

“Dan will name the team tomorrow,” he said.

Meanwhile, Charlie Gamble, who is set to make his 50th appearance for the Waratahs against the Brumbies, added: “He’s moving pretty good. Just making sure we get him back to 100 per cent and not taking any risks on that, I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

Suaalii is set to return via a 5/3 Waratahs replacements bench split after McKellar opted for a forward-dominated 6/2 split for their 35-15 defeat to the Reds in Brisbane at the weekend.

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