Jorgensen? Suaalii? Wallabies face fullback headache after Wright blow
In the best form of his career, Wallabies fullback Tom Wright had his season brought to a cruelly premature end after just three minutes of the Cape Town Test, sustaining an ACL injury after landing awkwardly while scrambling for a loose ball.
Wright’s ambitious basketball-style pass was dropped by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Wright lost his footing on the muddy field, destabilising his leg.
Former Wallabies fullback Matt Burke finished his career after sustaining the same injury while playing in England for Newcastle, and understands the intense disappointment Wright will be feeling.
“As you go down, you hear it – there’s this cracking sound, and then you can feel it,” Burke said. “There’s pain there, you know immediately you’re not right and it’s incredibly frustrating.
“It’s disappointing at the same time because it’s the most innocuous injury.The difficult part for Tom now is that he sits on the sideline, and then it becomes speculation about who is the better fullback? Is it player A, B, C, or D? Suddenly, your name’s not in the conversation, but you can’t do anything because you’re not playing, and it’s a whole new world.”
Wright’s ability to unlock a defence was crucial in the Wallabies’ victory in Johannesburg, and was missed in the Cape Town defeat.
Tom Wright sitting on the sideline after coming off injured.Credit: Getty Images
There isn’t a ready-made replacement for Wright, leaving Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt with a selection headache before facing Argentina in two Tests that hold vital importance for World Cup seeding.
The Wallabies must hold on to their No.6 world ranking until December to ensure a favourable World Cup draw. Schmidt’s side are now just 1.45 ranking points ahead of the Pumas, who sit in seventh place after their shock victory over New Zealand in Buenos Aires.
Still just 20, Max Jorgensen has rapidly become one of the best wingers in the world, but has played fullback for the Waratahs and stated in the past that it is his preferred position.
Suaalii suffered a concussion and was unable to return for the second half in Cape Town, which puts him in doubt to face Argentina in Townsville on September 6.
Suaalii has played six of his seven Super Rugby games for the Waratahs at fullback, while his 10 Tests for the Wallabies have been at outside centre.
Burke is an admirer of Suaalii’s aerial skills and Jorgensen’s game-breaking ability, but feels Andrew Kellaway presents a strong option for the Wallabies as they seek continuity against the Pumas.
Kellaway has previously excelled for the Wallabies starting at fullback, notably scoring two tries in the two-point defeat to New Zealand in Melbourne in 2022.
“It could be just a very easy substitute for them [to play Kellaway] and not risky,” Burke said. “Joseph has never played at 15 in a Test match.Would it not be more worthwhile for him to be comfortable in his role, to sit at 13, and go from there?”
Aphelele Fassi of South Africa tackles Andrew KellawayCredit: Getty Images
“It could be an easy drop-in for Kellaway at fullback – leave everything exactly the same and go from there. You’re not missing out much with him at 15. He’s an incredibly reputable player, and sometimes you’re right to minimise the amount of disruption in the team.”
The Wallabies will review their growing injury list this week after two bruising Tests in South Africa. Prop Taniela Tupou played through what appeared to be a dislocated finger in Cape Town and also suffered a toe injury.
Allan Alaalatoa’s shoulder injury is still being monitored, with a decision still to be made on whether he could return to play in the spring tour in November or potentially even be used for the Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand at Eden Park on September 27.
Halfback Jake Gordon is unlikely to be ready to face Argentina in Townsville as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, potentially leading to a long-awaited Test debut for the Brumbies’ Ryan Lonergan.
Watch all the action from the 2025 Rugby Championship on Stan Sport.