Waratahs suffer crucial Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii injury blow as update issued on Wallabies ace
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (pictured) suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up before the Waratahs' clash against the Hurricanes
The Waratahs will be without star back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for the next six to eight weeks, with the Wallabies ace suffering a hamstring injury.
Suaalii was initially named in the Waratahs’ starting line-up for their Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Hurricanes on Friday, but withdrew during the warm-up.
The former rugby league star had started both of his side’s first two fixtures of the new season at outside centre, helping the Sydney-based side get off to a perfect start in the process.
Youngster George Poolman was handed a debut in his place, and could now be set for an extended run of time in the team as a result.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set for lengthy spell on the sidelines
Suaalii was later sent for further scans on the injury, which have confirmed the cross-coder is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“The NSW Waratahs can confirm that Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up before Friday night’s match against the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium,” a club statement read.
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“Following results of a scan yesterday, the centre will now miss six to eight weeks of action.”
This will undoubtedly come as a blow for the Waratahs and head coach Dan McKellar, with Suaalii likely to make his return to the pitch when the Waratahs face the Crusaders at the end of April, but if it is the eight-week timeframe that will rule him out until their clash with the Highlanders in May.
But, while he will now spend a chunk of time on the sidelines, the length of his absence will not rule him out of the Wallabies’ Nations Championship Tests in July, with Les Kiss’ side set to face Ireland, France and Italy on home soil.
However, this is the second serious injury Suaalii has suffered on club duty since making the move to rugby union in 2024, missing another big spell of the 2025 Super Rugby season as well.