He’s been parked in the garage over the last month, but Dan McKellar looks set to finally be able to roll out his “Ferrari” this weekend, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii expected to feature against the Brumbies on Saturday night.
After missing the past three fixtures because of a toe injury suffered in their round one win over the Highlanders, The Roar understands Suaalii is set to come off the bench against the Brumbies despite the Waratahs being tight-lipped about his availability.
“He’s just progressing through his rehab,” assistant coach Dan Palmer told reporters on Tuesday.
“He was on the field today and he was moving quite well. So yeah, he’s progressing well.”
Asked if he was a chance to play, Palmer was coy.
“Dan will name the team tomorrow,” he said.
Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble, who will play his 50th match for the franchise, added: “He’s moving pretty good. Just making sure we get him back to 100 per cent and not taking any risks on that, I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
Suaalii’s return would be a boost for a side that came crashing back to Earth against the Reds, with the 21-year-old likely to be included in a five-forwards, three backs bench split after McKellar last week opted for a forward-heavy 6-2 split.
McKellar is otherwise expected to only make minor changes, with Langi Gleeson set to return at No.8 after coming off the bench.
Should he be promoted he could square up against Wallaby Rob Valetini, who is also firming for a return after missing the opening month because of a hamstring injury.
Daniel Botha is also a chance to come onto the bench for rising tight-head prop Siosifa Amone.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is firming to play his first minutes for the Waratahs since their round one win over the Highlanders. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
After starting the season with three straight wins at home, the Waratahs were humbled by Les Kiss’ Reds despite a strong start and ultimately lost convincingly, 35-15.
But just as concerning as the 20-point defeat was the manner of their loss, with McKellar calling some of their efforts, including a disastrous maul in the 33rd minute, as “soft” and “embarrassing”.
Judging by Palmer’s F-bomb during his analysis of the Waratahs’ horror maul, it’s fair to say the coaching team haven’t let the team off the hook either.
“It was soft and lazy,” said Palmer, who is considered one of the best young forwards coaches in the world.
“So, obviously, you’ve got to transition from your lineout attack into your maul, and you’ve got to be fast at that.
“You’ve got to know what your role is in that situation, and in that example on the weekend, we were slow, we were lazy, we didn’t get our roles right. Simple as that.”
Taniela Tupou’s lack of urgency during the ugly example has been well documented, but despite the Wallabies star’s slow start to the year, it’s believed he will pack down against his Test teammates James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an exciting clash that could have ramifications for selection against the Lions.
Asked why Tupou was not carrying nearly as much as previous years and where he thought the 28-year-old was at, Palmer said he thought the Wallaby was heading in the right direction but had a long way to go.
“You’ll have to ask Nella that,” he said.
“I mean, I think he’s building quite well. He’s been in here with us now for a month or two.
“There’s a period of time where he’s now turned up to a new team, he’s learning new systems, he’s getting his body in order again. He is building.
“We’re seeing signs of him building throughout the year, and we’ll continue to see that.
“It’s just consistently working with him. He’s working hard. It’s just going to be a consistent effort with him and a lot of the others.
“I mean, there’s a lot of guys here who have just entered a new environment and they’re learning a lot of new things, getting their bodies right.
“It’s going to be a consistent work on all year, so I think you’ll see him get better and better.”
One thing for sure is the Waratahs need to get more out of Tupou if they’re going to end their wretched run against the Brumbies.
The Waratahs need more out of Taniela Tupou if they are going to snap their 13-match losing run against the Brumbies. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Indeed, the Brumbies have won the past 13 fixtures against the Waratahs since last going down on March 31, 2018.
Plenty has changed since then, with Palmer, as well as McKellar, moving on from the Brumbies in recent years.
“It’s a massive game for both teams, for everyone involved,” Palmer said.
“I’ve obviously been in both camps. I know how important it is for both the Brumbies and the Waratahs.
“We’re obviously just preparing as well as we can to put a performance on the field as we do every week.”
Although Palmer was calm and collected on Tuesday, the rising coach admitted some “fire and brimstone” was also likely needed to try and ensure the Brumbies’ dominance comes to an end on Saturday night.
“At the right time, yeah,” he said. “Probably not on Tuesday.”
But is it needed?
“We’ll be up for it,” the former Wallabies prop said bluntly.
Meanwhile, Gamble, who has another big task ahead of him after coming up against Carlo Tizzano and Fraser McReight when he goes head-to-head with Luke Reimer, said it was a special feeling to bring up 50 matches for the Waratahs.
“It does mean a lot to me,” he said. “I signed in the 2020 season, I ended up getting my debut against Dan McKellar’s Brumbies at the SCG.
“It means a lot to me to represent this state and I’ve loved every single moment I’ve had here.”
