NSW Waratahs star recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will not play this weekend against the Fijian Drua, days after his absence at training prompted coach Dan McKellar to say “sometimes, you’ve got to put the Ferraris in the garage”.
The superstar code-crosser will miss Friday night’s match at the Sydney Football Stadium with a toe injury, while centre Joey Walton has also been ruled out with a groin strain.
Suaalii was a conspicuous absence from last Thursday’s opening training session at the Waratahs’ Sydney base, but coach Dan McKellar at the time insisted he was fine.
Six days on and McKellar broke the news that Suaalii in fact was not ready to face the Drua after initially suffering the injury in the Tahs’ round-one win over the Highlanders.
“Joseph is carrying a toe injury. We haven’t got all the details yet, but hopefully, that’s short-term,” he said.
“He pulled up sore [after round one] but recovered quite well and we thought he would be right for this week, but unfortunately, he is not.”
Andrew Kellaway will shift to fullback to cover for Suaalii, with fellow former Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster elevated from the bench to start.
Walton’s injury has led to Lalakai Foketi moving from outside to inside centre, while Henry O’Donnell will start at outside centre where Foketi started two weeks ago.
O’Donnell will be one of two players set to make their debuts for NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific. The other debutant will be Wallabies prop Isaac Kailea, who has been named on the bench.
Wright way back for Reds after ‘heavy fall from grace’
Queensland Reds co-captain Liam Wright will play his first game in more than seven months when he returns off the bench from a shoulder injury against Western Force.
The 27-year-old flanker captained the Wallabies to victory against Wales in July last year before being cruelled by what was his eighth major injury in six years.
Liam Wright is expected to make his Super Rugby Pacific return against the Western Force in Perth. (AAP: Queensland Rugby Union)
After a full Super Rugby season in 2024, he was convinced he’d done everything needed to stay on the field, so it was a massive blow.
“It felt like a heavy fall from grace,” Wright said.
“You reach that pinnacle of being able to represent your country again after a long absence and … to have it taken away again made this one really hurt.
“I’m just going to enjoy being back on the field again for all the minutes I get and keep working my way back to that same picture and go again.”
“It’s exciting, I’m looking forward to this [Saturday night in Perth]. It’s been a real journey this one, plenty happened in between it, so I’m just keen to get some footy under my belt again and get back with the team.”
Wright’s recovery was not straightforward, as the issue with his shoulder was not clear.
“We don’t really know what the underlying cause or symptoms of everything was,” he said.
“We tried bicep tenotomies, we tried cortisones, we tried different stuff in the AC and the actual shoulder joint, all sorts of various improvements, but then any slight knock would just send it straight back.
“Eventually I decided surgery was the route to go, and to do the best of both worlds — do the Latarjet repair and an AC repair as well.
“We weren’t really sure which one would hit the nail on the head, but we figured by doing both we probably couldn’t miss.
“Even post-surgery there were just a couple dilations in there just to expand the capsule a little bit and make sure we can get the range back and the strength back.
“It’s been some good weeks and some bad weeks in rehab, but I’m feeling really good and just excited to play some rugby.”
The Reds have made several forced changes from the side that beat Moana Pasifika.
Former Crusaders flyer Heremaia Murray comes in at fullback for Jock Campbell (arm), and Dre Pakeho is in for the suspended Hunter Paisami.
The Force are undefeated and Wright expects a titanic struggle.
“It’s a huge challenge. We found it tough to go over there last year,” he said.
“They play with a lot of gusto and they’re ready to go. They stick their head into a lot of rucks and make it a tough game for you.”
AAP
