Australia star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could face a fitness race ahead of this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour Down Under after fracturing his jaw.
Suaalii only made his union debut earlier this season after leaving Sydney Roosters and switching codes in a lucrative deal.
But he has had a major impact on the sport and is viewed as one of the Wallabies’ key backs in their quest for a Test series victory over the Lions.
The Lions’ opening game in Australia is on June 28, with the Test series beginning three weeks later.
Suaalii suffered concussion during New South Wales Waratahs’ Super Rugby Pacific game against Queensland Reds last Friday, before further investigation discovered a fracture that requires surgery.
He is now set to be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, with the Waratahs saying they plan a review after that period.