NSW Waratahs will face Force and Reds without $5 million man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was at Waratahs headquarters on Monday, but could only participate in video meetings as he remains on the sidelines for another two crucial matches.

The Waratahs will face two crucial derbies without their $5 million man after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s toe injury was revealed to be worse than first thought.

The Waratahs confirmed that Suaalii is set miss another two games, against Western Force and Queensland Reds, having already been sidelined by the issue in last Friday’s win against Fijian Drua.

Suaalii apparently fell awkwardly on his foot in the opening round match against the Highlanders and while it was initially believed to be a minor issue that would not see him miss additional game time, he is now set to be out for the key clashes that will shape their season.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii fell on his foot and injured his toe. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

NSW remain undefeated after two games, but the Force and Reds have both shown tremendous early season form to suggest they can be the top Australian team this year.

The Force won their opening two games, before losing last week’s match to the Reds after Filipino Daugunu scored in the final minute to give Queensland a 28-24 victory.

The Reds, like NSW undefeated after two games, are second on the table behind the Chiefs. The Force are fourth, and the Tahs fifth.

NSW host the Force on Saturday, before facing the Reds in Brisbane the following weekend.

They would dearly have loved Suaalii available for one of those games, given his natural game-breaking abilities.

But they won’t risk further aggravation of the toe injury.

Suaalii was at the Tahs’ training facility at Daceyville in Monday and participated in team meetings, but was not involved in any field sessions.

The Tahs reported no injury concerns from last Friday’s match.

It’s likely coach Dan McKellar will continue with Andrew Kellaway at fullback in place of Suaalii against the Force.

Suaalii will miss another two matches. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Andrew Kellaway is likely to continue to replace Suaalii. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

While McKellar was pleased his side managed to scrape out another close win, this time prevailing 29-24 having led 22-10, he is looking for a much improved fortnight against their Australian rivals.

“We dominated huge periods of that game, we just need to be better in the A-zone,” McKellar said.

“You can’t maul well every third maul, or you can’t be loosening around your breakdown and you can’t be chaotic when they’re one metre out, so they’re inconsistencies that will change and be better for.

“But speaking of the boys, I think they will agree that they probably would have lost that game in the past, so it’s pleasing that we sit here again grinding out and fighting our way to a win knowing that we’ve got an enormous improvement in front of us.”

Meanwhile, the Brumbies have revealed lock Tuaina Taii Tualima faces a stint on the sidelines after contracting dengue fever while the team was in Fiji in round one.

A club statement said: “The team took all preventive measures against mosquito-borne illnesses, however one of our players, Tuaina Taii Tualima, has become ill after catching dengue fever. The affected player has been diagnosed early and is receiving medical input from the team doctor and an infectious disease specialist.”

Originally published as NSW Waratahs will face Force and Reds without $5 million man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii