Lions 2025

Suaalii was concussed in a collision with Waratah's team-mate Andrew Kellaway during their defeat by Queensland Reds on Friday.

It was then found that he had a "small, undisplaced fracture" which needed an operation.

Suaalii is likely to be sidelined for at least four weeks.

"This is unfortunate for us and especially for Joseph. We wish him all the best in his recovery and return to full health," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said.

"We will do all we can to facilitate his recovery in consultation with Rugby Australia to have him in the best shape possible for his availability for the Wallabies."

The Waratahs' Super Rugby campaign is set to end during Suaalii's absence with only three rounds of the regular season remaining and play-off qualification only a distant possibility.

The utility back, who made his debut in professional rugby union in Australia's win over England in November, could potentially make a return to action in the Wallabies' warm-up Test against Fiji on 6 July, or the Waratahs' own match against the Lions the day before.

Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh revealed he suggested at meetings in London that 'golden point' extra time - which means the first team to score wins - should be played in such circumstances.

In 2017, the Lions and New Zealand shared the series after the deciding third Test finished 15-15, with captain Sam Warburton saying it was "a bit of an anticlimax for the players".

Former New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said the draw was "a bit like kissing your sister and no-one wants that".

"We've had some really constructive conversations. That's got to go to the Lions board around whether it's a drawn series, or you decide it through golden point or extra time," Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald., external

"Our preference, if we put the fans at the centre of everything we're doing, I think that the familiarity that everyone has with 'golden point' and the interest for that in our market is a good guide.

"Obviously, we will be making sure both parties agree. But I think that if you're thinking about some fan engagement, that's certainly very appealing."

For regular season games this year, Super Rugby Pacific brought in 'golden point',, external where if the teams are level at full-time then an 10 minutes of extra time is played, with a draw then declared if there is no winning score.

In April, Australian side Western Force and New Zealand's Hurricanes played out a thrilling 17-17 draw, with no score in extra time.

For Super Rugby Pacific knockout games, two 10-minute periods of standard extra time are played.

If the teams are still level, up to 10 minutes of golden point extra time are played, followed by a kicking competition if necessary.

Waugh confirmed both sides had agreed that the 20-minute red card will be used during the series.

The rule means the offending team can replace the red-carded player 20 minutes after being reduced to 14 players.

This year's Six Nations used 20-minute red cards for the first time after a trial at the Autumn Nations Cup in November.

Ireland centre Garry Ringrose, who will tour Australia this summer with the Lions, was given a first-half 20-minute red card against Wales.

Once the 20 minutes passed, Bundee Aki replaced Ringrose and played a key role in seeing the game home for Ireland.

"We've been very vocal in our support for the 20-minute red card," Waugh added.

The Lions will play a warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June before leaving for Australia, with the three-match Test series against the Wallabies starting in Brisbane on 19 July.

Given the depleted ranks, Sale’s 20-year-old front-rower Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been called up to the camp. Unlike Bealham, he has not been added to the full squad but given the uncertainty over Furlong, Opoku-Fordjour – who has just one England cap to his name – has the opportunity to stake his claim.

The former England captain Jamie George has also been added to the training camp. The Leinster duo of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher are both absent given the province’s involvement in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship final so George – who was unlucky to miss out on the initial squad – comes in to add to the hooker ranks. Luke Cowan-Dickie will also be at the Portugal training camp after Sale’s Premiership semi-final defeat by Leicester on Saturday.

In total, 17 of the players initially selected in the 38-man squad are unavailable in Portugal. The 12-strong Leinster contingent as well as Finn Russell and Stuart of Bath and Ollie Chessum of Leicester have not made the trip, nor Fagerson or Toulouse’s Blair Kinghorn.

Farrell said: “It’s tough on Zander to miss out so close to the Tour, but now Finlay gets an opportunity to come in and add to the group. This is unfortunately part and parcel of the game, so we always have to be prepared for that.

“But it’s great to finally be at the stage where we can get on to the training ground and get to work with these players. Portugal will be really important for us as we look to get our house in order with only a few training sessions before we take on Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin.” That tour curtain-raiser takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Friday week.