Lions series fears as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii leaves field on a stretcher

Rugby Australia’s multi-million dollar man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been helped from the field on a stretcher, copping some “friendly fire” from Andrew Kellaway during Friday night’s clash between the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds in Sydney.

Suaalii was once again prolific for the Tahs during the first half, with the code-hopper’s crowning moment coming early on with a shot on Reds lock Josh Canham close to the try line. In attack, the fullback had carried the ball six times for a game-high 42 metres after 38 minutes.

But disaster struck just before the break, with Kellaway catching Suaalii with his knee while the pair were both trying to tackle Reds outside centre Filipo Daugunu. Canham was also trying to clean Kellaway off the ball, which led to the unfortunate accident late in the half.

Suaalii gave Waratahs flyhalf Tane Edmed a thumbs up while leaving the field on a stretcher, but the extent of the injury is still unclear. One-Test Wallaby Darby Lancaster came on as a replacement on the wing, with Kellaway shifting to fullback for the round 13 derby.

“Unfortunately, in the last couple of minutes of that first half, we saw… friendly fire coming down trying to make a tackle, collects Andrew Kellaway’s [knee]. He won’t play any further part in this game,” Stan Sport host Michael Atkinson said at half-time.

Former Wallaby Matt Burke added: “We know what he can do, we know what he does. We highlighted him pre-game, his ability to get around the park and take on defences.

“The positive thing for the Waratahs is when they lose someone like Joseph, which they did throughout the year with that foot injury, they can reshuffle their backline, their back three. You’re gonna put a bloke there at 15 now, Andrew Kellaway, who’s played for the Wallabies at number 15.

“You’re not going to lose a great deal there in communication. The attack may change a little bit but we’ve seen Darby Lancaster come in and make an effort straight away and make a difference. Good luck.”

More to come…