Super pacific round 14 teams nsw waratahs joseph suaalii injury news tv times 20250515 p5lzed.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 1 year ago

Super Rugby Pacific round 14 teams: Beautiful act of sportsmanship missed amid Suaalii concern

Sam Worthington
Sam Worthington

Updated . First published at

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Andrew Kellaway will replace Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii as the NSW Waratahs fullback as coach Dan McKellar keeps his team as settled as possible for Friday night's crucial Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders in Sydney.

Suaalii was badly concussed and fractured his jaw in last week's loss to the Queensland Reds and Kellaway's move to No.15 opens up a spot on the wing for Darby Lancaster at Allianz Stadium.

"He's been able to chew and eat, with a little bit of discomfort, but it wasn't your typical fractured jaw where there is blood and clear separation," McKellar said.

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Filipo Daugunu stays by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's side.

Filipo Daugunu stays by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's side. Stan

McKellar also praised Reds centre Filipo Daugunu for his classy sportsmanship after Suaalii was knocked unconscious in his collision with Kellaway's knee.

A concerned Daugunu stayed by the side of his Wallabies teammate to ensure he received prompt medical attention rather than continue with the play.

"Enormous respect and gratitude towards Filipo," McKellar said.

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"I spoke to Joseph's parents on Saturday and they were keen to get in touch with him. It says a lot about him. We go hammer and tong and it's a physical contest for 80 minutes – and it certainly was physical on Friday night.

"But at the end of the day, we're all human beings. No one wants to see anyone injured. The boys appreciated that and no one more so than Joseph and his family."

Read on for all the round 14 team news.

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Hurricanes v Highlanders

FRI 16 MAY: SKY Stadium, Wellington (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

Bailyn Sullivan will start on the right wing for the Hurricanes following his four try heroics off the bench against the Chiefs.

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Sullivan replaced Kini Naholo in that match and Naholo has since been ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL.

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has also named Brett Cameron on his bench for the first time this season after the five-eighth made a speedy recovery from major knee surgery.

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Pasilio Tosi, Zach Gallgher, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields (co-c), Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Ngatungane Punival, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Bailyn Sullivan, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Will Tucker, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Brett Cameron, Fatafehi Fineanganofo

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HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Saula Ma'u, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele'a, Jonah Lowe, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Sosefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Thomas Umaga-Jensen

Referee: Marcus Playle

Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Stu Curran

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TMO: Glenn Newman

NSW Waratahs v Crusaders

FRI 16 MAY: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (7.35pm kickoff AEST)

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The Waratahs are hoping to boost their flagging finals hopes while delivering five players a happy home farewell against the Crusaders.

Rob Leota, Langi Gleeson and Mahe Vailanu are all heading overseas next season, along with Julian Heaven and Felix Kalapu who were not selected in Friday's 23.

"It's important that our departing players are farewelled with the performance they deserve to go out on," NSW coach Dan McKellar said.

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Daniel Botha, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway

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Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Hugh Sinclair, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Lalakai Foketi

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Quinten Strange, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl

Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod

Referee: Paul Williams

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Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter

TMO: Richard Kelly

NEW PODCAST! Mat Rogers fears the world won't see the best of superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii against the British and Irish Lions

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Fijian Drua v Western Force

SAT 17 MAY: Churchill Park, Lautoka (1.35pm kickoff AEST)

Force coach Simon Cron has sprung a major selection surprise by picking little-known New Zealander Alex Harford to make his Super Rugby debut at No.10 in Fiji.

Harford, 25, has NPC experience for Canterbury and Auckland and has kept Wallabies utilities Ben Donaldson and Kurtley Beale out of the starting lineup for one of the toughest away trips in the competition.

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"Out of the last five games, four of them have four hour time zone shifts and each one of those involves anywhere between 11-17 hours travel door to door so we must maximise our chances of success. To do that we have tried to rotate some squad members who we feel are most at risk due to high minutes or lots of travel," Cron explained.

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Elia Canakaivata, Philip Baselala, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Iosefo Masi, Ponipate Loganimasi, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Leone Rotuisolia, Kitione Salawa, Leone Nawai, Inia Tabuavou, Selestino Ravutaumada

FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Alex Harford, Mac Grealy, Reesjan Pasitoa, Sio Tomkinson, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale

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Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, George Poolman

Referee: Jordan Way

Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jeremy Markey

TMO: Brett Cronan

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Patrick Pellegrini of Moana Pasifika is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a try.

Patrick Pellegrini of Moana Pasifika is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a try. Getty

Moana Pasifika v Blues

SAT 17 MAY: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland (5.05pm kickoff AEST)

Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga has recalled Sydney product Patrick Pellegrini to the No.10 jersey for the big Auckland derby against the Blues.

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Pellegrini replaces Jackson Garden-Bachop in the starting lineup while the Blues are boosted by All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke's return from injury.

"We know it's going to be a battle with playoff implications... and it's going to be special playing in front of our passionate fans," Umaga said.

PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Julian Savea

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BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Corey Evans

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Cam Christie, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Ben O'Keeffe

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TMO: Glenn Newman

ACT BRUMBIES V QUEENSLAND REDS

SAT 17 MAY: GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm kickoff AEST)

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The Reds have been hit by the loss of three Wallabies to injury with Tom Lynagh (HIA), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) and Seru Uru (knee) all casualties from the win against the Waratahs.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will start at No.10 and Hunter Paisami at No.12 as the fourth-placed Reds try to make ground on the second-placed Brumbies, who are without the injured Noah Lolesio.

"The Brumbies are no doubt a team in form... they have an imperious record at home in Canberra. Harry had a very strong second half when he came in for Tom against the Waratahs and has stepped up for us with his opportunities this season," Reds coach Les Kiss said.

BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

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Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Harrison Goddard, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Kalani Thomas, Dre Pakeho, Heremaia Murray

Referee: Nic Berry

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Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Kaminski

TMO: James Leckie

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