Ex-NRL star Joseph Sua’ali’i deemed to ‘lose the plot’ before suffering severe injury 

Former Rugby League star Joseph Sua’ali’i has seen his flourishing career in union take a hit after the ex-Rooster suffered a serious wrist injury.

A fortnight after his international debut took the 15-man code by storm, Joseph Sua’ali’i was forced off against Scotland with a severe wrist injury after taking a ‘rugby league’ approach to his tackling according to one leading commentator.

Whilst his debut saw him labelled a ‘freak’ and ‘superstar’, the former Roosters centre did not actually start against Wales last week but was recalled for today’s clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

His second start for Australia did not last long though with the 21-year-old forced off with a severe wrist injury on the half-hour mark following a collision with Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu.

Joseph Sua’ali’i, who was sent off in State of Origin earlier this year, was deemed by many of the home fans to fail to wrap as he laid a huge shot on Tuipulotu, however, it was the cross-coder who came off worse.

Former Scotland international Peter Wright, working on co-commentary for the BBC claimed that it ‘looked like a dislocated wrist’, noting a ‘funny angle’ before he’d tear into the tackle technique of Sua’ali’i.

Joseph Sua’ali’i ‘lost the plot’ ahead of game-ending injury

Sua’ali’i would then leave the field with his wrist strapped and not return as Australia fell to a 27-13 defeat to Scotland, with the ex-NRL man almost certain to miss out on facing Ireland in Dublin next weekend.

Attempting to tackle Scotland’s skipper, Sua’ali’i swung his arm around in what co-commentator Wright would describe as a ‘rugby league tackle’.

21-cap Wright said: “It was a rugby league tackle. I’ve been watching him in a few of the breakdowns, he was starting to lose the plot a wee bit. I’ve been watching him on a few tackles and it has been very rugby league.”

On a second viewing, he would correct himself, adding: “That’s a good hit though to be fair. He does bring the right arm up enough for it to be a wrap. That’s fine.”

However, Sua’ali’i’s ‘plot loss’ was not done as he was seen to have a war of words with Tuipulotu who had seemingly just come across to check on the former Samoan Rugby League star’s health.

“I think Tuipulotu has come across to ask if he’s okay and he’s taken it the wrong way and had a real go at Tuipulotu. It was a huge hit.”

Sua’ali’i will now likely miss the game against Ireland and have the Christmas period to recover before debuting for the Waratahs in 2025.