Joe Schmidt responds to idea of sidelining Joseph Suaalii ahead of Lions

Far from wanting his chief strike weapon wrapped in cotton wool, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt hopes to see Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back on the pitch ASAP.

Suaalii’s sickening head knock last Friday night will rule the code-hopping game-breaker out of the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders in Sydney on Friday night and possibly next week’s derby against the Western Force in Perth.

With the Tahs needing to win their last three games to squeeze into the finals, there have been calls for Suaalii to abort his Super season altogether – especially if Dan McKellar’s men are out of the running entering a last-round battle with the Blues – and freshen up for the showpiece British and Irish Lions series.

Schmidt, though, doesn’t subscribe to that approach.

“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.

“He will probably miss the game against the Crusaders, but, all going well, hopefully he will be back for the next one.”

After playing the one-time NSW State of Origin star in his Wallabies debut at outside centre on last year’s grand slam spring tour, Schmidt has no issues with Waratahs coach Dan McKellar deploying Suaalii at fullback.

“I’m really happy that Joseph plays wherever Dan needs him to play,” he said.

“Dan and I have had the conversation. Dan actually asked me, ‘Do you want me to play him at 13?’

“And I said I just want him with his boots on, playing the game.

“One of the beauties of playing 15 is you see the whole game in front of you, and so for Joseph, he’s had that opportunity.

“But, then, they don’t use him like a normal 15 either. He comes into the front line on some set plays and ends up in the front line on occasions.

“The try against the Brumbies – 15s don’t usually take flat balls off lineouts and things like that.

“So for Joseph, it’s just great to see him out there and playing, and I thought he was going really well until he got that knock in Friday’s game.

“But he’s OK, and that’s the main thing going forward.”