Rising Wallaby star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii potentially out for Lions series

The 21-year-old was stretchered off after being knocked out in the Sydney outfit's 28-21 defeat to the Reds last weekend.

Scans have since revealed that Suaalii sustained a fracture to the jaw in that incident and will require surgery to repair the issue.

As a result, he will be out of action for the rest of the Waratahs' campaign and faces a race against time for the Tests against the Lions.

"This is unfortunate for us and especially for Joseph. We wish him all the best in his recovery and return to full health," head 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."

Suaalii will now undergo an operation on his jaw and will certainly miss the next four weeks, taking it up to mid-June, before it will then be determined by the medical staff when he can return.

Fortunately for the talented back and the Wallabies, the actual Tests get underway later in July - rather than earlier in the month, as is usual with a mid-year series - with the first match against the Lions taking place on July 19.

That gives the cross-code star a slightly longer time to recover in order to throw his hat into the ring for international selection.

Suaalii has been central in providing a boost to Australian rugby after joining from rugby league ahead of the end-of-year series in 2024.

Despite never playing a game of professional rugby before the November campaign, Suaalii made his Test debut against England and impressed as they shocked Steve Borthwick's side at Twickenham.

The youngster would go on to feature three more times for the Wallabies on that tour before making his Waratahs bow in 2025.

He has been one of their better performers this season with them still in play-off contention heading to the latter stages of the Super Rugby campaign.

The 'Tahs form has deserted them since their huge victory over the Chiefs in April, however, following three successive defeats, which has put their play-off ambitions in doubt.

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