Latest news with #Suaalii
The Age
7 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Schmidt sidesteps Cleary rugby rumours – but confirms Suaalii plan for Lions
Rugby Australia would likely have to stump up an offer bigger than Suaalii's $1.6 million a year, and given the previous blowback within rugby for Suaalii's pay cheque at a time when the code is in major debt, and the historical difficulty of halves making the switch from league to union at the highest levels, informed sources said an RA raid on Cleary was not a likely prospect. Cleary's interest in playing rugby would be more likely to happen if he elected to move to Europe to be closer to football star partner Mary Fowler, and wealthy French rugby clubs came knocking. Industry sources say Cleary would still be unlikely to earn in France what he's on in the NRL, but he could still theoretically play for the Wallabies via that route, through the Giteau Law. Cleary's manager did not return the Herald 's calls on Friday, and a Rugby Australia spokesman said while willing to talk to anyone interested in playing rugby, the national body is content with the players already in its system. Schmidt offered a similar take, after noting Cleary attended famous rugby school in Auckland, Sacred Heart College, when father Ivan was coaching the Warriors. 'He played soccer as a young man, he's played league, so he might want to spread his wings and play another sport,' Schmidt said. 'But at the same time, we've got a really good stock there that we're focused on in the very short term.' Schmidt was more forthcoming about Suaalii's progress in recovering from a broken jaw, and his plan for the former Rooster heading into the British and Irish Test series in July. Suaalii required surgery on a hairline fracture in his jaw in mid-May, suffered against the Reds. RA and the Waratahs said a firmer timeline for his return would be given after four weeks, leaving open the possibility of his Lions preparation being further delayed. But Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on Thursday that Suaalii was already back in full training – bar contact work – two weeks after his surgery. Loading Schmidt gave a further update that included his plan for Suaalii to play for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6. There had been speculation the star back may play for the Waratahs against the Lions on July 5 instead, to acclimatise to the patterns of the touring outfit. 'He's working hard and he's looking good going in the right direction to be ready for our Test against Fiji in Newcastle, which will be the ideal warm-up to come up here [to Brisbane] and compete,' Schmidt said.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Schmidt sidesteps Cleary rugby rumours – but confirms Suaalii plan for Lions
Rugby Australia would likely have to stump up an offer bigger than Suaalii's $1.6 million a year, and given the previous blowback within rugby for Suaalii's pay cheque at a time when the code is in major debt, and the historical difficulty of halves making the switch from league to union at the highest levels, informed sources said an RA raid on Cleary was not a likely prospect. Cleary's interest in playing rugby would be more likely to happen if he elected to move to Europe to be closer to football star partner Mary Fowler, and wealthy French rugby clubs came knocking. Industry sources say Cleary would still be unlikely to earn in France what he's on in the NRL, but he could still theoretically play for the Wallabies via that route, through the Giteau Law. Cleary's manager did not return the Herald 's calls on Friday, and a Rugby Australia spokesman said while willing to talk to anyone interested in playing rugby, the national body is content with the players already in its system. Schmidt offered a similar take, after noting Cleary attended famous rugby school in Auckland, Sacred Heart College, when father Ivan was coaching the Warriors. 'He played soccer as a young man, he's played league, so he might want to spread his wings and play another sport,' Schmidt said. 'But at the same time, we've got a really good stock there that we're focused on in the very short term.' Schmidt was more forthcoming about Suaalii's progress in recovering from a broken jaw, and his plan for the former Rooster heading into the British and Irish Test series in July. Suaalii required surgery on a hairline fracture in his jaw in mid-May, suffered against the Reds. RA and the Waratahs said a firmer timeline for his return would be given after four weeks, leaving open the possibility of his Lions preparation being further delayed. But Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on Thursday that Suaalii was already back in full training – bar contact work – two weeks after his surgery. Loading Schmidt gave a further update that included his plan for Suaalii to play for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6. There had been speculation the star back may play for the Waratahs against the Lions on July 5 instead, to acclimatise to the patterns of the touring outfit. 'He's working hard and he's looking good going in the right direction to be ready for our Test against Fiji in Newcastle, which will be the ideal warm-up to come up here [to Brisbane] and compete,' Schmidt said.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Watch out Lions: surprise Suaalii boost for Wallabies
Wallabies fans can breathe easier after NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar allayed fears of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii missing any Tests against the touring British and Irish Lions. Despite Suaalii requiring surgery for a broken jaw, McKellar on Thursday said the injury was of a lower scale and the 21-year-old was already back in the gym working out to maintain his conditioning. It was initially feared Suaalii might be sidelined for an extended period after copping an accidental knee from teammate Andrew Kellaway in the Waratahs' 28-21 Super Rugby Pacific derby loss to Queensland last Friday night. "It's just a four-week injury," McKellar said on the eve of the eighth-placed Tahs' latest "must-win" clash with the Crusaders in Sydney. "So he can crack on. Get done what he needs to get done and he'll be back training pretty quickly. "To be honest, it's nothing major. It's just a setback, obviously disappointing from a Waratahs perspective, but all going well - and most of the time it does - he's not going to be missing any Test matches. "So, yeah, it's disappointing for Joseph to miss a few games for us at the back end of the year but, in terms of what's ahead, everyone can take a deep breath and relax a bit." Australia's first Test against the Lions is in Brisbane on July 19, giving the code-hopping game-breaker nine weeks to recover and return to peak fitness for the blockbuster series. After going home with his parents in a "groggy" state last Friday night, Suaalii only learnt on Monday following X-rays he had suffered a fracture. "His jaw presented OK (initially) but obviously with a little bit of discomfort over the coming days," McKellar said. "More investigation was done and our medical staff got onto it and we are where we are. "He's in the gym right now, so he's doing what he needs to get done. Like, he's talking and doing everything normally so he's good as gold. "We play a sport that is collision based and incredibly physical and, yeah, he got a whack, a little bit of friendly fire and will miss a couple of games." McKellar revealed Suaalii's parents had reached out to Reds centre Filipo Daugunu for so sportingly rushing to his rival's support and alerting the Queensland medical team after the incident at Allianz Stadium. Suaalii was treated for several minutes before being taken from the field on a medicab and in a neck brace. "Enormous respect and gratitude towards Filipo Daugunu there," McKellar said. "I spoke to Joseph's parents on Saturday and they were keen to get in touch with him and it just says a lot about him. "We go hammer and tong (as fierce interstate rivals) and it's a physical contest for 80 minutes, and certainly it was physical on Friday night, but at the end of the day we're all human beings and no one wants to see anyone injured. "And the boys certainly appreciate that and no one more so than Joseph and his family." With Suaalii out, Kellaway - ironically - will replace the injured superstar at fullback with one-time Wallaby Darby Lancaster to start on the wing as the Waratahs look to stay in the finals race. The Tahs are four points outside the top six with three games remaining and likely need to beat the Crusaders in their last home game of the season, then Western Force and Blues away to feature in the playoffs.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wallaby Suaalii in race to face Lions with broken jaw
Australia's code-crossing star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is to have surgery to fix a fractured jaw, putting the 21-year-old under pressure to be fit for the British and Irish Lions tour. Suaalii was concussed in a collision with Waratah's team-mate Andrew Kellaway during their defeat by Queensland Reds on Friday. It was then found that he had a "small, undisplaced fracture" which needed an operation. Suaalii is likely to be sidelined for at least four weeks. "This is unfortunate for us and especially for Joseph. We wish him all the best in his recovery and return to full health," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said. "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' Super Rugby campaign is set to end during Suaalii's absence with only three rounds of the regular season remaining and play-off qualification only a distant possibility. The utility back, who made his debut in professional rugby union in Australia's win over England in November, could potentially make a return to action in the Wallabies' warm-up Test against Fiji on 6 July, or the Waratahs' own match against the Lions the day before. The three-Test series between the Lions and Australia begins in Brisbane on 19 July. Suaalii was signed from rugby league's Sydney Roosters last year in a three-year deal worth a reported 5.35m Australian dollars (£2.6m). While he has continued to impress in his appearances in union, his progress has been checked by injuries, with a toe complaint causing him to miss four Super Rugby matches Australia coach Joe Schmidt also has injury concerns over first-choice fly-half Noah Lolesio, who suffered a back injury last weekend and is a doubt for the tourists' visit. Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
The Advertiser
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Jaw surgery leaves Suaalii's Lions status in limbo
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii requires surgery on a fractured jaw, placing him in doubt for the Wallabies' blockbuster British and Irish Lions duel. The code-hopping NSW Waratahs star copped an accidental knee from a teammate in Friday's loss to the Queensland Reds and was carted from Allianz Stadium in a medicab. The 21-year-old was concussed, but there was optimism he would miss just one week as the Waratahs pushed for a Super Rugby Pacific finals spot. But on Wednesday the Waratahs revealed their star NRL convert required surgery to reinforce a fractured jaw. A review in four weeks - about one month before the three-Test series begins in Brisbane on July 19 - will determine his return-to-play time frame. There are three Super Rugby regular-season games remaining before a three-week finals series. The Wallabies begin their Test season against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "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," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said. Suaalii made a statement in his Test debut last year before he'd even played a game for the Waratahs, and has since flourished playing both at fullback and in the centres. Speaking on Monday, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said he'd prefer not to wrap Suaalii in cotton wool. "I'm keen to see him keep playing," he said. "He's missed a few games already this season. He hasn't had that many games anyway so, for Joseph, it's important that he just keep playing when he's fit and available to play." The setback adds to a pile of injury concerns, with flyhalf contenders Tom Lynagh (concussion) and Noah Lolesio (back) both key omissions for the Reds and ACT Brumbies, who play each other on Saturday. The Reds are also carrying Test skipper Harry Wilson (arm) and contenders Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright and Seru Uru on their injury list. Waratahs flyer Max Jorgensen (ankle), in-form Western Force back-rower Carlo Tizzano (pectoral) and winger Dylan Pietsch (quad) are also nursing wounds. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii requires surgery on a fractured jaw, placing him in doubt for the Wallabies' blockbuster British and Irish Lions duel. The code-hopping NSW Waratahs star copped an accidental knee from a teammate in Friday's loss to the Queensland Reds and was carted from Allianz Stadium in a medicab. The 21-year-old was concussed, but there was optimism he would miss just one week as the Waratahs pushed for a Super Rugby Pacific finals spot. But on Wednesday the Waratahs revealed their star NRL convert required surgery to reinforce a fractured jaw. A review in four weeks - about one month before the three-Test series begins in Brisbane on July 19 - will determine his return-to-play time frame. There are three Super Rugby regular-season games remaining before a three-week finals series. The Wallabies begin their Test season against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "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," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said. Suaalii made a statement in his Test debut last year before he'd even played a game for the Waratahs, and has since flourished playing both at fullback and in the centres. Speaking on Monday, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said he'd prefer not to wrap Suaalii in cotton wool. "I'm keen to see him keep playing," he said. "He's missed a few games already this season. He hasn't had that many games anyway so, for Joseph, it's important that he just keep playing when he's fit and available to play." The setback adds to a pile of injury concerns, with flyhalf contenders Tom Lynagh (concussion) and Noah Lolesio (back) both key omissions for the Reds and ACT Brumbies, who play each other on Saturday. The Reds are also carrying Test skipper Harry Wilson (arm) and contenders Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright and Seru Uru on their injury list. Waratahs flyer Max Jorgensen (ankle), in-form Western Force back-rower Carlo Tizzano (pectoral) and winger Dylan Pietsch (quad) are also nursing wounds. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii requires surgery on a fractured jaw, placing him in doubt for the Wallabies' blockbuster British and Irish Lions duel. The code-hopping NSW Waratahs star copped an accidental knee from a teammate in Friday's loss to the Queensland Reds and was carted from Allianz Stadium in a medicab. The 21-year-old was concussed, but there was optimism he would miss just one week as the Waratahs pushed for a Super Rugby Pacific finals spot. But on Wednesday the Waratahs revealed their star NRL convert required surgery to reinforce a fractured jaw. A review in four weeks - about one month before the three-Test series begins in Brisbane on July 19 - will determine his return-to-play time frame. There are three Super Rugby regular-season games remaining before a three-week finals series. The Wallabies begin their Test season against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "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," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said. Suaalii made a statement in his Test debut last year before he'd even played a game for the Waratahs, and has since flourished playing both at fullback and in the centres. Speaking on Monday, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said he'd prefer not to wrap Suaalii in cotton wool. "I'm keen to see him keep playing," he said. "He's missed a few games already this season. He hasn't had that many games anyway so, for Joseph, it's important that he just keep playing when he's fit and available to play." The setback adds to a pile of injury concerns, with flyhalf contenders Tom Lynagh (concussion) and Noah Lolesio (back) both key omissions for the Reds and ACT Brumbies, who play each other on Saturday. The Reds are also carrying Test skipper Harry Wilson (arm) and contenders Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright and Seru Uru on their injury list. Waratahs flyer Max Jorgensen (ankle), in-form Western Force back-rower Carlo Tizzano (pectoral) and winger Dylan Pietsch (quad) are also nursing wounds.
