Suaalii Set to Boost Waratahs After Injury Return

NSW Waratahs star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to make his return from injury as the team prepares for their clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington this Friday.

Suaalii, who made his Waratahs debut against the Highlanders earlier this season, has been sidelined since the opening-round win due to a foot injury.

After weeks of recovery, he completed a full training session and has been cleared for selection.

"Joe's trained well; it was a tough session today," Waratahs assistant coach Mike Catt told the media. "He's had a good four weeks off, cleared the head and mind, and he's got all the afterburners on."

Suaalii’s return adds to coach Dan McKellar’s selection challenge, with backline players Triston Reilly and Max Jorgensen both impressing in last weekend’s win over the Brumbies.

Darby Lancaster also returned from injury through the Waratahs A side.

The Waratahs are also managing player workloads, with resting plans already in place for key players like Jorgensen and fullback Andrew Kellaway in the lead-up to their home game against the Chiefs in mid-April.

"It's what we want — the Reillys and Lancasters pushing through and putting pressure on the guys coming back," Catt said. "The resting plan was always in place. It’s good physically, mentally, and emotionally for the players."

Catt praised the competition within the squad, adding, "We’re very fortunate right now to have back-three players performing exceptionally well, and young talents like Archie Saunders pushing up. The big boys have stepped up, which is great for us."

Source: Super Rugby News

Picture: SuperSport