Joseph Suaalii is set to make his long-awaited return to the Waratahs this week after a month-long absence due to a persistent toe injury. The highly valued player, who began the season in a Waratahs jersey, participated in only one match before struggling with his injury, which left him on a week-to-week recovery schedule.
In a positive update for the fourth-placed team, assistant coach Mike Catt confirmed that the 21-year-old will be in the lineup against the Hurricanes in round seven. Catt noted that Suaalii has been training well, stating, “Joe’s trained well – it was a tough session today. He’s had a good four weeks off, cleared the head and mind, and he’s got all the afterburners on.”
Suaalii’s return is welcomed news for head coach Dan McKellar, who will need to consider how best to integrate him back into a backline that has been performing well. The previous match saw players like Max Jorgensen and Triston Reilly stepping up, leaving questions about whether Suaalii will resume his position at fullback straight away.
Catt expressed enthusiasm about the competition within the squad, saying, “We want the Triston Reillys and the Darbys (Lancaster) to come through to put pressure on the guys that have come back.” He added that the planned resting of players has been beneficial for their mental and emotional well-being, allowing them to recharge and be ready for the upcoming challenges.
As the Waratahs prepare for this critical match, Suaalii’s presence is expected to provide a significant boost to the team’s performance.