Explosive Wallabies back Joseph Sua’ali’i is in a race to be fit to face the British & Irish Lions.
The former rugby league star suffered a concussion while making a tackle for the Waratahs against the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific last Friday. The Waratahs said Sua’ali’i had developed pain in the days following the collision and scans revealed a small fracture of the jaw.
The 21-year-old will now have surgery and will be out for at least four weeks, ending his Super Rugby season.
“This is unfortunate for us and especially for Joseph. We wish him all the best in his recovery and return to full health,” said Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar. “We will do all we can to facilitate his recovery in consultation with Rugby Australia to have him in the best shape possible for his availability for the Wallabies.”
The Waratahs’ medical team will assess his recovery after four weeks and decide how quickly he can return to action.
Sua’ali’i, who can play wing, centre or fullback, signed a lucrative deal to switch from the NRL’s Sydney Roosters to rugby union with the Waratahs at the end of the 2024 season.
He played his first game of professional rugby union when Australia met England in November at Twickenham, producing a Man of the Match performance as the Wallabies won 42-37.
The Waratahs are due to face the touring British & Irish Lions in Sydney on 5 July while the first of three Australia Tests against the Lions is on 19 July in Brisbane.
© Agence France-Presse
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