Australia Star-Man Joseph Suaalii In Fitness Race For Lions Series After Suffering Broken Jaw

The latest Joseph Suaalii injury update isn’t a good one for Wallabies fans, with the Australian centre needing surgery on a fractured jaw he suffered at the weekend.

Aussie dual-code star Joseph Sua’ali’i is now a major doubt for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

The 21-year-old collided with NSW Waratahs team-mate Andrew Kellaway as they lost to rivals Queensland Reds on Friday.

He was removed with concussion symptoms, with medics later finding Sua’ali’i had a “small, undisplaced fracture” to his jaw.

With an operation needed to repair the fracture, the centre is likely to be out for a minimum of four weeks.

Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar said: “This is unfortunate for us and especially for Joseph. We wish him all the best in his recovery and return to full health.

“We will do all we can to facilitate his recovery in consultation with Rugby Australia to have him in the best shape possible for his availability for the Wallabies.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to miss the next four weeks.

Wishing the @NSWWaratahs back a speedy recovery!#SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/iUimrsrUGg

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 14, 2025

Joseph Suaalii Injury Puts Lions Series In Major Doubt

The Waratahs’ Super Rugby season will finish while Suaalii is injured, with just three rounds remaining and the Sydney-based side unlikely to reach the play-offs.

But with Australia’s series against the Lions starting in July, he now faces a race against time to be fit.

Able to play across the back line, Suaalii made his professional rugby union debut against England in November.

He played a starring role in the Wallabies’ triumph at Twickenham and has been tipped by many to be a key fan for the home side against the Lions.

Australia play a warm-up test against Fiji on 6 July, giving Suaalii a chance to play before the Lions series, if he’s fit in time.

Where Is Joseph Suaalii From?

Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was born on 1 August, 2003 in Penrith, New South Wales.

His father is Samoan, while his mother is Australian, with Cambodian and European heritage.

He grew up playing rugby league, and in 2015 held the Australian high jump record for boys aged 12.

Having played in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters, he was signed over to rugby union last year in a deal worth a reported AU$5.34 million (£2.6 million.)

Suaalii has impressed since switching codes, but a series of injuries have slowed his progress.

Following this latest setback, his fitness for the Lions series now hangs in the balance.