Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii ruled out of Waratahs clash with toe injury

Multimillion-dollar recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been ruled out of Friday night's clash between the Waratahs and Fijian Drua due to a toe injury suffered in round one.

Inside centre Joey Walton will also miss the game at Allianz Stadium having suffered a groin injury in the Waratahs' first-round clash with the Highlanders.

Suaalii will be replaced at fullback by fellow Wallaby Andrew Kellaway, while another Wallaby in Lalakai Foketi will shuffle from outside centre to inside centre to fill Walton's spot.

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Harry O'Donnell will play at outside centre on his Super Rugby Pacific debut, while Wallabies prop Isaac Kailea will make his Waratahs debut after crossing from the defunct Melbourne Rebels at the end of last season.

"We haven't got all the details yet," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said of Suaalii's injury.

"But hopefully that's short-term. He pulled up sore but recovered quite well and we thought he would be right for this week, but unfortunately he is not."

Suaalii left the Sydney Roosters for the Wallabies and Waratahs at the end of the 2024 NRL season, having inked a three-year deal worth a reported $5.3 million.

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There is also a two-year player option worth $4 million in the prodigious Sydney product's Rugby Australia contract, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The Waratahs began their Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a pulsating 37-36 victory over the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium, before having a bye in round two.