Waratahs injury crisis rules Jake Gordon, Langi Gleeson out of Queensland Reds clash

The Waratahs have suffered a major blow ahead of their grudge match against Queensland on Saturday, with two key players set to be ruled out.

The Waratahs have suffered a major blow ahead of their grudge match against Queensland on Saturday, with captain and halfback Jake Gordon set to be ruled out.

Gordon is being monitored after injuring his knee against Western Force last week, but Code Sports understands he will be officially ruled out on Wednesday when the team is announced, and could be sidelined for up to four weeks with a medial ligament injury.

Waratahs captain and halfback Jake Gordon sits on the bench, Picture: Getty Images

That opens the door for Teddy Wilson – son of Queensland great David Wilson – to start against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in a crucial head-to-head battle against Tate McDermott.

The Tahs are also sweating on the fitness of powerhouse backrower Langi Gleeson who hurt his leg in the win over the Force and is also expected to be ruled out.

Already without superstar fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who is out with a toe injury, NSW will be missing key stars as they try to remain the only undefeated team in Super Rugby, against the Reds who suffered their first loss last week against the Crusaders but have a daunting home record.

Langi Gleeson is also set to be out for the Waratahs. Picture: Getty Images

Suaalii’s replacement at fullback, Andrew Kellaway, said the injury situation isn’t ideal but has backed 22-year-old Wilson, a former Junior Wallabies captain, to get the job done.

“It’s an expensive rehab ward, isn’t it?” Kellaway said.

“Look, it’s a shame to miss those guys. They’re experienced and we’d love to have them there. But I would say, I’ll give you two examples of why we probably feel confident in the next guy up mentality.

“You’ve got (centre) Henry O’Donnell who comes in against Fiji out of absolutely nowhere and he’s not moving anytime soon. He’s been fantastic. I think he’s worked his way into the team for a very long time.

Andrew Kellaway has covered for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s absence at the back. Picture: Getty Images

“And then Triston Reilly comes off the bench on the weekend and it’s like this bloke is a freak. I’m only speaking for myself here, but I’m extremely confident in the guys coming through.

“You know, Teddy Wilson this weekend. I certainly heard a lot about Teddy while I was away, about this new kid coming through the Waratahs system. I haven’t got to see a lot of him this year in the game, but at training he’s certainly been impressive. He’s a tough little kid and he’s a fit bastard.

“So I’m looking forward to seeing him do exactly what Henry and Tristan have done.”

The Tahs have won all three games this year, and put in their best performance of the season in a dominant 34-10 win over the Force, set up by strong defence.

Tahs defence coach Locky McCaffrey is overseeing the best defence in the competition at present – NSW has only conceded 70 points, next best is the Highlanders with 87.

And McCaffrey doesn’t hide his and the squad’s ambition behind their tackling wall.

Former junior Wallabies captain Teddy Wilson. Picture: Rugby AU

“You look across competitions all around the world over a long time, and defence wins premierships,” McCaffrey said.

“And we’re here and we’re slowly improving, but we’re all here to win a premiership and without good defence, you can’t do that.

“We’re competitive and we want to focus on every day. But at the same time, you look back on your career and the things you remember when you win as a group and you celebrate those things in the dressing room.

“I don’t think coaches and players and staff alike would work as hard as they do if they didn’t have that end goal in sight.

“As I’ve said, and as Catty (attack coach Mike Catt) and Dan (coach Dan McKellar) and Palms (scrum coach Dan Palmer) have said, it’s not going to happen overnight. But everyone in the building is working their arses off every day to get better.

“And hopefully that’s the end goal at some point in time.”

Originally published as Waratahs injury crisis rules Jake Gordon, Langi Gleeson out of Queensland Reds clash