Dan McKellar has urged everybody to “take a breath and loosen up” after the NSW Waratahs revealed Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii requires surgical procedure on a fractured jaw. Suaalii suffered the damage final week in opposition to the Reds, about two months earlier than the primary Take a look at in opposition to the British & Irish Lions.
After an unlucky conflict with teammate Andrew Kellaway, Suaalii was helped from the sector on a stretcher at Allianz Stadium. Suaalii left the sector on a stretcher, however managed to offer playmaker Tane Edmed a thumbs up earlier than disappearing from public view.
Tahs coach McKellar instructed reporters after the seven-point loss that Suaalii was again at dwelling recovering with relations, and Rugby Australia’s multi-million greenback man reportedly settling properly from concussion signs.
But the Waratahs provided a medical update on Wednesday, revealing Suaalii has developed soreness, with investigation showing a small undisplaced fracture of the jaw. Suaalii will be reassessed four weeks after the operation to determine a return to play timeframe.
McKellar explained the situation during a media opportunity in Daceyville on Thursday, with the coach outlining that while it’s “disappointing” for the Waratahs as they look to save their season, this news shouldn’t trouble the Wallabies too much.
“It’s a four-week injury, it looks like,” McKellar told reporters on Thursday.
“[It’s] disappointing from a Waratahs perspective, however all going properly, and more often than not it does, he’s not going to be lacking any Take a look at matches or something like that.”
“It’s disappointing for Joseph to overlook a number of video games for us within the again finish of the [season], however by way of what’s forward, everybody can take a breath and loosen up a bit bit.
Suaalii was making an attempt to deal with Reds utility Filipo Daugunu when the incident occurred late within the first half of final week’s match in Sydney. Kellaway was additionally making an attempt to deal with Daugunu, which led to an unintended conflict between the 2 front-line Wallabies.
Kellaway shifted to fullback for the remainder of the match, with one-Take a look at Wallaby Darby Lancaster approaching as a alternative. These two have been named in these respective roles for this week’s must-win spherical 14 match in opposition to the Crusaders, with Triston Reilly on the opposite wing.
With the Waratahs sitting in eighth place, they should win this match to maintain their probabilities of making the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs alive. Whereas that ambition has taken successful after the replace on Suaalii, the code-hopper is on the mend, which is a optimistic.
“He’s been in a position to chew and eat, with a bit little bit of discomfort, however it wasn’t your typical fractured jaw the place there’s blood and clear separation,” McKellar mentioned.
“It’s minor, with no re-wiring or something that should happen that signifies it’s not a significant fracture, however there’s a fracture there and we have to take care of him.
“He’s within the health club proper now. He’s doing what must be accomplished.
“If he walked in right here, he’s speaking and doing all the pieces usually.
“We play a sport the place it’s collision-based and extremely bodily, and he’s acquired a wack … a bit little bit of ‘pleasant hearth.’”
