Super Rugby, Waratahs v Reds: Reds conquer Tahs after Suaalii’s sickening head clash

With the British and Irish Lions heading to Australia soon, the only concern among New South Wales and Queensland was the health of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii rather than the scoreboard.

This was one rare Super Rugby derby where, at least for a while, the result almost didn’t seem to matter.

With the British and Irish Lions heading to Australia soon, the only concern among everyone from both New South Wales and Queensland was around the health of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii rather than the scoreboard.

Australian rugby’s prize asset was involved in a sickening head clash just before halftime in the Waratahs’ clash with the Reds. NSW coach Dan McKellar said it was just a bad knock that had left his star recruit feeling dizzy, though it was still enough to have everyone else sweating bullets.

“I think it looks like a head knock,” McKellar told Stan. “I haven’t seen him yet. It’s a head knock that made him fairly groggy.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the NSW Waratahs is taken off the field injured during the round 13 Super Rugby Pacific match between NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium, on May 09, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Stan said after the match that Suaalii had spent the second half under observation but was cleared of any structural damage. He was assessed with a category one concussion and allowed to leave the stadium with his family after the game.

Queensland did eventually win the contest 28-21 to inch closer to securing a place in the playoffs while ending NSW’s faint chances of making the top six but the biggest worry was Suaalii’s injury.

Tate McDermott scores a crucial try for the Queensland Reds. Picture: Getty Images

With Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt watching anxiously from the stands, the one thing no-one in Australian rugby wanted to see came to fruition as the code’s $5 million man was knocked to the turf after copping an accidental knee to the head from his NSW team mate Andrew Kellaway.

Suaalii left the field in a medicab, driven away while lying on his back with his arms folded and his neck in a brace.

The former NRL star gave the hushed crowd a reassuring thumbs up that he was OK but he was prevented from taking any further part in the match.

blockquote class="twitter-tweet">

37' INJRY

Best wishes to Suaalii, as he's stretchered off after friendly fire in a tackle. Kellaway's knee collided with Jo's head.

WAR 14-7 RED#WARvRED#wearetahs

— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) May 9, 2025

Yet to win on the road all season, the Waratahs suffered their first loss at home in 2025 after going behind for the first time in the 78th minute.

The Waratahs flew out of the blocks, racing to a 14-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes after halfback and skipper Jake Gordon put Henry O’Donnell into a hole for his first Super Rugby try then scored a try himself.

The Reds drew level at the break after Tate McDermott scored under the sticks from a quick tap then hooker Richie Asiata crashed over from a maul.

The Waratahs regained the lead when replacement prop Taniela Tupou muscled his way over before he was sin-binned for a high tackle that led to a try from Queensland’s Josh Nasser.

With the scores locked at 21-21, the Reds sealed victory when Lachie Anderson swooped on to a perfect crossfield kick from Filipo Daugunu to secure a bonus point.

“We showed the grit to stay in the game,” Queensland coach Les Kiss said.

“The most pleasing thing was that everyone played their part.”

Originally published as Super Rugby, Waratahs v Reds: Reds conquer Tahs after Suaalii’s sickening head clash