Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii forced off early with injury in Wallabies’ defeat to Scotland

Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 3:43 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was forced off the field early with an arm/wrist injury. Photo: Getty Images
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was forced off the field early with an arm/wrist injury. Photo: Getty Images

The Wallabies are optimistic about centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii after he picked up a wrist/arm injury during their defeat to Scotland.

Suaalii returned to the starting side for the first time since his memorable debut against England.

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However, his stint lasted just 30 minutes after he was left clutching his wrist following a big tackle on Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu.

Suaalii lined up Tuipulotu with a perfect tackle close to the line at first glance, only to be left in pain to the side of the ruck as the play continued.

The 21-year-old was initially thought to have headed off for an HIA before scenes of the centre in the grandstand confirmed the injury diagnosis.

Suaalii will head for further treatment after the match but Wallabies officials were hopeful he had avoided major injury.

“Yeah, he’s got a pretty numb arm, but we’re hopeful it’s not too bad," coach Joe Schmidt said post-game.

Max Jorgensen replaced the centre, forcing a backline shuffle for the Wallabies that saw Andrew Kellaway shift into the midfield.

It piled onto the Wallabies’ injury-ravaged build to the game, who lost Jeremy Williams (illness) before the game.

Joe Schmidt’s side had already lost Matt Faessler to a calf complaint just under 24 hours after he was named in the team.

The Wallabies went down 27-13 to the Scots after the hosts proved too strong in the second half.

Former skipper Will Skelton refused to use the injuries as an excuse after the loss.

"As a squad, we really believe in everyone in that whole group. We have that next-man mentality and we had a few guys pull out yesterday and the day of the game as well but mate, there's no excuse," he said on the post-game coverage.

"Everyone who steps up is ready and we'll be looking inward to try and rectify that and really learn those lessons for next week. This group will be a lot stronger for what's happened tonight."

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