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Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii explains pulling out of Waratahs debut

Australia's centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is treated by medical staff after being hurt in a collision with Scotland's centre Sione Tuipulotu (not pictured) during the Autumn Nations Series International rugby union test match between Scotland and Australia at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on November 24, 2024. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The wait continues for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s much-anticipated club debut, but the injured superstar and NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon are both expected to be fit for the start of the Super Rugby season.

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Suaalii crossed from rugby league to rugby union on a three-deal worth more than $5 million last year, making his debut for the Wallabies against England on the spring tour.

The boom youngster was listed to start at fullback on Saturday, when the Waratahs battled to a 36-36 draw with the ACT Brumbies in Bowral.

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    However, the 21-year-old failed to make the trip to the NSW southern highlands because of a minor knee problem.

    A back injury prompted Gordon to come off early in the trial, a free-flowing affair in which both sides scored six tries.

    NSW insist Suaalii would have played if it were a regular-season match.

    The club is likewise bullish that the code hopper and Gordon will both feature on February 14, when the Tahs start their season against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium.

    “It’s a minor issue, he just pulled up a little bit sore,” coach Dan McKellar said.

    “Rest, recovery, physio treatment and we’re hoping he’ll train Wednesday.”

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    But McKellar wasn’t ready to confirm fullback was the position Suaalii would start in against the Highlanders.

    “We’ll see how he goes at training and nail down his position over the next couple of weeks,” McKellar said.

    McKellar explained that Gordon had “jammed up his back”.

    “So nothing major. It’s through his lower back, that will turn around quickly,” McKellar said of the halfback.

    In Suaalii’s absence, NSW still showed plenty of backline strike power.

    Wallabies speedsters Andrew Kellaway and Darby Lancaster crossed for well-constructed tries, as did Triston Reilly, with Max Jorgensen making some well-timed bursts into the backline.

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    Reilly, who played for Australia’s sevens side in 2018, returned to the Waratahs in 2024 after a one-season stint with NRL club Wests Tigers.

    Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou came off the bench to make his first appearance in a Tahs shirt, while McKellar noted hooker David Porecki was nice and physical in his return after a long absence caused by an Achilles issue.

    The Brumbies’ first two tries came through their forwards, but they also produced some good backline moves which resulted in five-pointers.

    Five-eight Declan Meredith was a strong performer for the Canberra-based side.

    “Our set-piece was miles ahead of where it was last year, defensively, we were also much better than last year at this time,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.

    “Our attack has gone to a new level, there’s a lot to be happy about.”

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    M
    Mzilikazi 7 minutes ago
    The numbers show Super Rugby Pacific just got even tougher

    I’m not confident that our Australian sides will set“ the heather on fire” this year, as they say in Scotland, or probably in some households, Dunedin too. Starting with Qld., They should, with the roster they have, be the team to beat in Australia, and a tough assignment for any of the NZ teams, either side of the Tasman.


    But so far they have been erratic, brilliant plays interspersed with poor handling, poor decision making, and sheer stupidity. The latter highlighted by both McReight and Daugunu, albeit in different games, handling the ball at the ruck, when lying on the ground. Would like to see a “stupidity fine” for such actions, say $1000.00 for first offence…and that is a serious comment.


    I would see this weekend in Christchurch as a tough one for the Reds, especially without LSL still, and now Flook and Uru. Any team with Will Jordan has to be respected.


    The Waratahs sit on two wins, but by 1 and five points only. Their roster is strong, but still they don’t look a cohesive team yet. The Force are a far better team this year, and could well cause an upset in this upcoming game.


    I think the Brumbies will struggle more this year to get up over the top sides, especially the NZ teams, and away from home. I feel Stephen Larkham has a ceiling as a coach, which he is struggling the breach. Taking on the Blues in Auckland could turn nasty. Vern Cotter’s scrum focus, and success in that aera so far will be a big test for our side.


    Where I see th NZ sides, alll of them, ahead of our teams, is the speed and accuracy of their breakdown work. Their scrum halves have a far easier role than any Australian 9. The other area of superiority for the NZ teams is the speed at which they exploit areas, take chances.


    Anyway, upset results so far have certainly made this year far more interesting than previous years. Long may this continue.

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