- The former Sydney Roosters star was left on the ground after the collision
- Doctors worked for several minutes to stabilize it and help it in the field
- Was a huge loss for desperate waratahs for the victory of the Super Rugby Pacific
The Queensland Reds almost ended the final of NSW Rugby Pacific in a disastrous evening for Waratahs in Sydney.
The rear of the Joseph-Aaukuso Suaalii superstar was eliminated in the first half while the Reds transformed a deficit of 14 points into a victory in a moving derby at the Allianz stadium.
Suaalii was wiped out after an accidental knee to the jaw of his teammate Andrew Kellaway while the pair collided in a tackle on the center of the Filipo Daugunu Reds.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was one of the spectators concerned, looking at the COD-Hopping weapon was treated for several minutes before being removed from the field on a Medicab and in a neck splint.
Waratah coach Dan McKellar said that the first reports were that Suaalii had undergone a “groggy” concussion.
“He returned home with his mother and father, so he is improved but, yes, it is a concussion,” said McKellar.
The Waratahs of South Wales were injured in the insult in their loss to the Reds of Queensland
The back of the Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii superstar was eliminated after colliding with the knee of the center of the Reds Filipo Daugunu
There were frightening scenes because Suaalii’s neck was put in a splint and was removed from the field on a Medicab
“You just want him to do well and the medical staff is quickly and the support he needed.
“So he will be fine, obviously, I just scared everyone. You don’t want to see a player on the ground, knocked out.
McKellar felt just as ugly after his Waratahs underwent their first home loss of the season to remain anchored in third position three games in the final.
“It’s difficult. It’s really, really difficult. Incredibly frustrating, “he said.
“Really stupid penalties that injured us at key moments.”
Adding the insult to the injury, the friendly incidence between Suaalii and Kellaway occurred with Queensland with a penalty advantage.
The Reds scored 30 seconds later thanks to Hooker Richie Asiata to level the match 14-14 moments before the half-time break.
NSW had made a flamboyant start, defying the Driving rain to take a 14-0 lead with tests at the Henry O’Donnell Center and the half-back Jake Gordon in the first 20 minutes.
The match was interrupted for several minutes while the doctors stabilized the Wallabies star and helped him from the field
With Suaalii out of the field, the Reds were able to consolidate fourth place in the ranking
Queensland has made its way in the competition when Skipper and Scrumhalf Tate McDermott danced a quick blow when the Waratahs were a man below.
The Daniel Botha spread was made of yellow card for a higher tackle on the Reds Lock Josh Canham.
Canham was also found in yellow at the start of the second half for a dangerous tackle on the return of Waratahs David Porecki.
The Reds also disclosed points while a short player, with a powerful accessory Taniela Tupou capping a powerful performance with his first try for the Waratahs who broke the dead end in the 51st minute.
Tupou’s joy did not last long before he too was yellow for a face to face confrontation with the center of Queensland Dre Pakeho considered a unfair game by the TMO.
Again, the advantage of a single man turned out to be profitable, because the replacement hooker Josh Nasser won a penalty driving maul that followed to lock the match with 11 minutes to play.
McKellar could only shake his head with disbelief when Kellaway had the chance to put Darby Lancaster for a potential match winner, only to send the pass to the boot winger.
The anxiety of the coach turned into despair just a minute later when the Reds winger Lachlan Anderson disturbed a cross kick of Daugunu to mark the winner towards the other end.
“Our defensive effort was incredible, really courageous, and that’s what we asked, but you have to support it with better execution,” said McKellar.
The victory of Queensland consolidated its fourth place, maintaining the hope of a finish among the first three and a very important final.
