Waratahs Lose to Reds as Suaalii Stretchered Off With Concussion in Sydney

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the Waratahs and Wallabies star, suffered a concussion after an accidental knee to the jaw from teammate Andrew Kellaway during a Super Rugby Pacific match against the Queensland Reds. Suaalii was knocked out cold and stretchered off the field, with no broken bones reported, but he faces a mandatory minimum 12-day stand down period and will miss at least the next game. The injury dealt a blow to the Waratahs, who lost the match 28-21 to the Reds, further diminishing their already slim finals hopes. The Reds secured the win with a late try set up by Filipo Daugunu, and the match featured tense moments with multiple yellow cards and physical clashes. Waratahs coach Dan McKellar expressed frustration over key moments in the game, including a missed late penalty call, while Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt observed the match closely, focusing on player performances amid the team's struggles. Suaalii's concussion raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series, depending on his recovery.