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Joseph Suaalii injury: Young Rooster ruled out for remainder of season

The Sydney Roosters’ run of injuries continues with boom youngster Joseph Suaalii the latest tricolour to be struck down.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 22: Joseph Suaalii of the Roosters is tackled during the round 11 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 22, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 22: Joseph Suaalii of the Roosters is tackled during the round 11 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 22, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Roosters rookie Joseph Suaalii has been ruled out for the remainder of the season in another crushing blow to the club’s premiership chances.

The 17-year-old will undergo surgery this week and not travel to the Sunshine Coast bubble with the rest of the Roosters team.

He suffered the injury to his lower leg at training in the lead up to last week’s game against the Bulldogs.

Suaalii was to travel to Queensland and study for his HSC remotely.

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Roosters young gun Joseph Suaalii is out for the remainder of the season. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images
Roosters young gun Joseph Suaalii is out for the remainder of the season. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

However X-rays on Tuesday revealed he requires immediate surgery and will not be available until the start of next season.

Suaalii joins a shocking injury list at the Roosters that includes the retirement of Boyd Cordner and Jakes Friend plus season ending injuries for Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins.

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The Roosters leave for the Sunshine Coast Wednesday morning for a minimum four weeks.

Easing the pressure from losing Suaalii was the return of crack centre Billy Smith against the Canterbury Bulldogs last weekend.

However the club faces a herculean task to match it with the premiership heavyweights Penrith, Storm, the Rabbitohs and the Eels.

Phil Rothfield
Phil RothfieldSports Editor-at-Large

Phil Buzz Rothfield is a 43-year veteran of sports journalism. He covered his first rugby league grand final in 1978 - the Manly Sea Eagles - Cronulla Sharks replay. Buzz has been involved in the coverage of every State of Origin game since its inception in 1980 and has covered sport in major countries including England, Russia, the United States and Brazil.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/joseph-suaalii-injury-young-rooster-ruled-out-for-remainder-of-season/news-story/7976ad9d0ee8263352fbacb4df0eca18