Wallabies gun Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could only miss four weeks with a broken jaw

The most expensive signing in Rugby Australia history could yet play for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions after a serious injury revelation.

Code-hopper Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could be sidelined for as few as four weeks after being sent for surgery on a broken jaw in good news for the Wallabies ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.

The 21-year-old, who signed a monster $5 million deal to leave rugby league, copped an accidental knee from a Waratahs teammate in Friday’s loss to the Queensland Reds and had to be taken from Allianz Stadium in a medicab.

Sans revealed the star backline flyer would need surgery to reinforce a fractured jaw and on Thursday Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said the timeline for a return could give him time to prepare for the three-Test series against the Lions begins in Brisbane on July 19.

“It’s a four-week injury, it looks like,” McKellar told the media.

“[It’s] disappointing from a Waratahs perspective; but all going well, and most of the time it does, he’s not going to be missing any Test matches or anything like that.”

“It’s disappointing for Joseph to miss a few games for us in the back end of the [season], but in terms of what’s ahead everyone can take a breath and relax a little bit.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the NSW Waratahs is taken off the field injured . (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Suaalii is already back in the gym and engaged with team processes and has been able to “chew and eat, with a little bit of discomfort”

“But it wasn’t your typical fractured jaw where there is blood and clear separation,” McKellar said.

“It’s minor, with no re-wiring or anything that needs to occur that indicates it’s not a major fracture; but there is a fracture there and we need to look after him.

“He’s in the gym right now. He’s doing what needs to be done.

“If he walked in here, he’s talking and doing everything normally.

“We play a sport where it is collision-based and incredibly physical, and he’s got a wack … a little bit of ‘friendly fire.’ “

McKellar praised the actions of Queensland Reds winger Filipo Daugunu after Suaalii’s collision with NSW Waratahs’ back Andrew Kellaway’s knee.

Daugunu, a former ACT Brumbies player under McKellar, stayed by Suaalii to ensure he received prompt medical attention rather than continue with the play.

“Enormous respect and gratitude towards Filippo,” McKellar said. “I spoke to Joseph’s parents on Saturday, and they were keen to get in touch with him.

“It says a lot about him. We go hammer and tong and it’s a physical contest for eighty minutes – and it certainly was physical on Friday night.

“But at the end of the day, we’re all human beings. No one wants to see anyone injured.

“The boys appreciated that [act] and no one more so than Joseph and his family.”

Originally published as Wallabies gun Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could only miss four weeks with a broken jaw