Wallabies provide positive Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii injury update

Mon, Nov 25, 2024, 8:56 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies have cleared centred Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of any major damage to his arm. Photo: Getty Images
The Wallabies have cleared centred Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of any major damage to his arm. Photo: Getty Images

The Wallabies have cleared centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of any major damage to his arm as he pushes his case to be fit for Sunday's (AEDT) final Test of 2024 against Ireland.

Suaalii was forced off the field after 30 minutes following a brutal tackle on Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu in their 14-point defeat in Edinburgh.

Watch every game of the Wallabies Spring Tour live and exclusive on Stan Sport.

The 21-year-old clutched his wrist straight after impact and whilst a fracture was initially speculated, the team has alleviated fears of significant damange.

“After making a tackle yesterday, Joseph Suaalii lost function and had severe pain in his right arm and was substituted,” a statement from the Wallabies said.

“Since full time and after travelling with the team to Ireland, his function is returning, and pain is subsiding. 

“He was medically reviewed post-game and there is no evidence of a fracture and will be monitored throughout the week.”

Given Joe Schmidt's tendency to rest players if they are not fully fit by the start of the training week and the short turnaround, Suaalii's availability for the Irish Test is still in significant doubt.

Suaalii was elevated into the starting spot following the suspension of Samu Kerevi for two matches after his red card in the Wales win.

If out, it paves the way for the return of either Josh Flook or Hamish Stewart, with both joining the squad from Australia XV.

Stewart's return could see Len Ikitau move back into outside centre whilst Flook started the first Test of the season in the #13 jersey in Ikitau's absence.

In positive news, lock Jeremy Williams has travelled with the team to Dublin after he was a late omission due to illness.

Williams is 'recovering positively' and his return would be a major boost for the Wallabies, with lock Will Skelton set to depart the group.

It comes as the Test falls outside the Test availability window, ensuring Skelton will have to return to club side La Rochelle.

The Wallabies have already arrived in the Irish capital

Share
What a difference a year makes: Breaking down the Wallabies’ 2024 season
‘He's done a lot of heavy lifting’: Waugh working through Schmidt contract situation
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii: how the Wallabies reacted to 'freak' signing's debut tour
The Wallabies have rallied around debutant Tane Edmed after his early head knock. Photo: Getty Images
Wallabies rally around Edmed after three-minute debut