NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar is expecting to be without Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for a considerable period following his late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury.
Suaalii went down in the warm-up as he was going through his paces before Friday’s clash with the Hurricanes.
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The marquee player limped from the field and was replaced by George Poolman, who made his club debut after moving from the Western Force.
It set the tempo for a rough night in Sydney, with the team going down 59-19 in the humid conditions.
“Caps off a disappointing night,” McKellar remarked.
“I don't know yet, but it looked pretty sore. I'd suggest it's not a couple of weeks. I think it's a bit longer than that.”
Suaalii had a disrupted debut season in the sky blue last season, dealing with jaw and toe issues.
He joins Harry Potter on the sidelines, who missed the defeat with his own toe injury.
McKellar was left frustrated after the Waratahs failed to back up their flying start to the season.
The hosts were in the battle at half-time, trailing 19-12 at the break before the second half onslaught.
Two yellow cards set the tempo for a tough 40 minutes that saw Billy Proctor run in a hat-trick
“We turned over the ball way too much, whether that be at lineout, first phase or second phase or in general play,” he remarked.
“Our kicking hurt us and put us under pressure...we had to do a whole lot of defence, transition defence, and against the Hurricanes, that's where they hurt you.
“They had a night where things fell into their hands, and they beat us across the park.
“It's just incredibly disappointing and a nice little reality check.”
The Waratahs will head to Queensland desperate to bounce back, set to resume the rivalry against the Reds.
Dan McKellar’s side started their season with a victory over their Queensland counterparts; however, they have since welcomed back the likes of Harry Wilson, Filipo Daugunu and Carter Gordon.
