Suaalii return doubtful as Wallabies injury list expands

April 19, 2026 — 1:56pm

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Zac Lomax helped the Western Force become the third Australian side to beat the Crusaders this season, but chances of his former Origin teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii helping the Waratahs complete a clean sweep on Friday in New Zealand appear slim.

Suaalii is recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in the warm-up of the Waratahs’ loss to the Hurricanes in March.

It was announced he would face a six-to-eight-week period of rehab. The six-week timeframe expires this week, with the Waratahs facing the Crusaders on the opening night of Super Round. It will also be the grand opening of the new A$560 million stadium in Christchurch, meaning a sold-out crowd of 25,000 and a buzzing atmosphere under the roof.

A Waratahs’ win - their first since 2004 in Christchurch - would be an all-time party spoiler.

But after coach Dan McKellar last week indicated Suaalii could potentially return for the blockbuster game, he downgraded the optimism on........

© The Sydney Morning Herald