Cash-strapped Rugby Australia (RA) has denied splashing out $3 million to nab teenage whiz Joseph Suaalii from under the noses of the NRL.
RA on Tuesday night coyly claimed a deal was “not done yet” after seemingly convincing the 16-year-old sporting sensation to turn his back on a $1.7 million offer to remain with South Sydney for three more years.
Like super-coach Wayne Bennett, Suaalii is contracted to Souths until the end of next season.
But the Rabbitohs had hoped to lock down the so-called next Greg Inglis long term before new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie swooped, having hotly pursued Suaalii since first trying to sign the prodigy in February.
With Souths not allowed to register the contract with the NRL until Suaalii turned 17 on August 1, Rennie and RA made their move and are now poised to win the tug-of-war for his services.
The Sydney teenager and 2019 Australian under-18s representative has starred for The King’s School’s First XV for the past two years.
“I met him when I was here in January. Impressive athlete and a very mature kid for 16,” Rennie said last month.
“Guys like Joseph, they command a lot of attention and clearly Souths are very interested in him and have thrown some serious money in front him.
“So he’s just an example of the type of kids that we want to keep in our game, but it’s a competitive market and it’s not easy.
“We’re going to miss out on some of these kids coming out of school but I think it’s important that we keep in contact with them and keep that relationship going so that when they’re making the next decision around a contract our game is still an option for them.”
But, crippled financially by the coronavirus and having laid off 40 per cent of its staff, RA says promising Suaalii $1 million a year is crazy.
“Financial offers being speculated in the media presently are totally fanciful and are being propagated by the usual suspects whose sole interest it is to inflate and misrepresent contract values,” said RA interim CEO Rob Clarke.
“At this stage, there has been no agreement between Joseph, his family or his representation.
“Joseph Suaalii is an upstanding young man and a talented rugby player. We have made it no secret that we would like to keep Joseph within the rugby pathway.”
The Rabbitohs offered AAP a “no comment” when contacted on Tuesday night.
A gifted all-round sportsman who has also excelled at AFL and basketball, Suaalii stands a towering 196cm, weighs 96kg and spent the off-season training with the Rabbitohs NRL squad.
Souths great turned assistant coach Sam Burgess last month hailed the hulk “incredible”.
“Look, I hate rapping young kids,” Burgess told Fox Sports.
“I’ve seen him first-hand, training with the first team and forget his athletic ability, what I saw inside Joseph Suaalii that day, I saw (how) we took him to the edge of the cliff and he hung on for dear life and he had the courage of a 25 to 28-year-old man.”
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Wish the media would stop calling him a “freak.”
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Agree the Olympics etc are the tempters. Then we get the likes of Tim Horan come out today with the Bill Pulver tired old NRL put down "Maybe Joseph values the opportunity to play a Wallaby Gold jersey and travel the world and play in a real world cup, rather than (wait for it)playing in Wollongong or Campbelltown week in week out." Yep Tim they(NRL players) are all stuck in outer Sydney, incapable of leaving the country or unable to play in England or France, nor represent the Kangaroos.You were going factually well about the opportunities, until you threw in the Campbelltown and Wollongong elitist snipe.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I'm sure the NRL realises Union can offer the Olympics 7s (once in 4 years)and International competition, which already exists, hardly a scoop.Money talks ,people walk. It's when he is playing for the Tahs taking up most of the time ,and he is only seen on Pay Tv watched by smaller numbers that is the other side of the coin. A talent no doubt and Rugby here needs a star, because there is little else in RA that falls into" "star" category. I wish him all the best, he sounds like a quality person and obviously a top sportsman. RA doesn't have the loot(thank Raelene for the non TV deal),IMO it has to be a consortium of old school business types with the financial resources to do the deal. NB I do feel sorry though for RA staff chopped and had salary cuts and players taking decent pay cuts looking at this from the sidelines.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They've flat out said they haven't offered anywhere near what is reported. Some "unnamed sources" are the only basis for the amount. And you come out "if this is true"...
sheek
Roar Guru
Goldenberg, Thanks for that. It doesn't matter where the money comes from, it's still ridiculous. But folk do exactly the same with race horses.
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
There is talk a wealthy benefactor is stumping up a majority of the cash... I wonder if true or a diversionary tactic.
sheek
Roar Guru
If this is true, it's a disgrace for several reasons. 1. Is it true the ARU have really paid $3 million for this kid, while sacking one-third of their HQ staff? They deny this, of course. 2. In any case, splashing huge money for a 16 year old kid full of potential but yet to deliver performance at elite senior level, is pie in the sky stuff.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Playing for Souths is like falling off a cliff.
Don
Roar Rookie
Not just pumping up the price of this kid Jez. I love how RA have ridiculed the touted offer. If the agents can’t use the threat of big Rugby $ as a potential suitor for their NRL players and schoolboys then they end up with the problem of only having the NRL clubs to deal with. And the NRL clubs talk to each other... With only the NRL clubs it’s like like going to an auction and knowing what every bidder can afford...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Seems a little excessive. I know league's a physical game and all but still...
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Sam Burgess said ..."I saw (how) we took him to the edge of the cliff and he hung on for dear life and he had the courage of a 25 to 28-year-old man.” Do we think that was a metaphorical cliff, or Souths actually made the kid cling to a rock for his life? I wouldn't put the latter past them..
jeznez
Roar Guru
And that was what RA said they would make one of their core offers to him around. They can’t match on money so looking at a creative contract offer and including things like Olympic opportunity. Has all sounded very sensible.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
mp, 3 schooners and a chicken drumstick, wrote it on the back of a coaster while having a punt
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Jez, exactly. He could be the second coming and I don't think RA would be (couldn't be) talking anything like that money. My guess is he signs with the NRL and I hope he goes well when as pointed out his physical advantages aren't so great. If he's as good as everyone is saying I would like to see him reach his potential in whichever code he chooses.
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't make sense spending that sort of coin in the current environment.... Unless you want a revolt on your hands from existing proven players. Especially with no signed broadcast deal for next year. I'd have thought RA now has more sensible heads running the show now. Maybe league can't reconcile the fact that a young bloke would choose the Olympics and international competition and exposure over NRL. So therefore, it has to be about huge money why he'd go to Rugby.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
For what it's worth, in my opinion his highlights are more impressive than Thors. He's not just using his size advantage to steamroll kids half his size. This kid has agility and pace that doesn't match his height. He's a lanky freak who seems to turn on a dime. He can also drill a pass. I can see the appeal. But yes I think the numbers quoted are silly. He is in frame for the Olympics next year if it goes ahead. That would be very appealing for a young bloke.
max power
Guest
100% , the 3 million was made up at lunch yesterday by daily telegraph jernos
jeznez
Roar Guru
Seems to be the agent trying to pump up prices. RA very clear that they would love to sign him but not for anything like the numbers reported.
Albo
Roar Rookie
He sure does look a prodigious talent for a 16 year old. But he has physical advantages over his peers right now. He still needs to shape up against men who will be out to test him. Seems RA is still punting with cash they don't have ?