The Sydney Roosters have announced the signing of Joseph Suaalii after NRL rivals South Sydney released the teenage star from the final year of his contract.
The bitter rivalry between the NRL’s oldest clubs has been further stoked after the Sydney Roosters announced the signing of teenage star Joseph Suaalii.
Rugby league’s foundation clubs had been locked in a battle for the signature of the 17-year-old before the Roosters won out against neighbours South Sydney, landing him on a two-year deal starting immediately.
His release from the Rabbitohs followed months of speculation about Suaalii’s future and was marked by a curt, one-sentence statement.
“The South Sydney Rabbitohs have released Joseph Suaalii from the remaining year of his playing contract following the payment of a non-disclosed transfer fee by another NRL club,” it read.
The transfer of the former Australian Schoolboys Sevens star adds another layer to the frosty relationship between the clubs.
He will join former Souths players Angus Crichton and Luke Keary at the Roosters.
The contract tussle has made the talented outside back one of the most-hyped young players in recent history.
Other NRL clubs also tried to secure him, while Rugby Australia launched an audacious bid to lure him back to the 15-man code he played at The Kings School.
However, after speaking to Roosters coach Trent Robinson, Suaalii opted to join them and he is expected to start pre-season training this week.
He can play wing or fullback, but it’s unknown where he fits into Robinson’s plans.
“Joseph is a highly-talented young player, and we’re thrilled to have secured his services,” said Roosters recruitment boss Daniel Anderson.
“This is a terrific opportunity for Joseph to continue his development alongside the established players we have at the club like James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Joseph Manu, and we’re looking forward to watching his progress over the next few years.”
Under NRL rules he is unable to play first grade until he turns 18, which is not until August next year.
However, the Roosters are believed to have made inquiries with the governing body about gaining an exemption for Suaalii to play NRL earlier next season.
But should a request be denied, Suaalii’s first eligible NRL match after his August 1 birthday will be round 21 against Penrith.
William W
Roar Rookie
That is exactly what the media reported.
William W
Roar Rookie
Terrell Kalokalo is actually signed sealed and delivered on a 3-year Rabbitohs Contract until the end of 2023.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Cant say I have, but I feel like I am missing out massively now!
Nico
Roar Rookie
Very true
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
Jeez not as if the 60k was going to break the cap.....60k read again 60k, Sixty thousand dollars is all they are paying the kid.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Literally no one... including Easts
Tom G
Roar Rookie
If the cash is there, the contract will become useless. Just watch
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I somehow suspect that he’ll spend a few moderately successful years with the roosters and then head back to rugby when a RWC and a lot of cash is on offer with the opportunity to wind up his career in Europe or Japan.
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
You obviously never watched The Cooma Stallions run around Willie.
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
It appears that some clubs think If they pay a player a million dollars, they’ll get a million dollar player , but in a lot of cases , they’ve paid a mill for a player worth half that , and then he goes MIA because he knows he’s getting the gold whether he performs or not . And that essentially comes down to the fact that he wasn’t an elite player in the first place .
Nambawan
Roar Rookie
Btw, Manly may well have snared at least as good a player in Kolu Koula, ex Newington and Australian schoolboy. Runs 100m in 9.8 and well built. Hopefully may assist in rectifying Manly's recent glaring weakness (lack of speed) in the outside backs.
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
You know everything, why don’t you tell us all ? Oh my mistake! You know everything about nothing, and nothing about everything.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Yep! Wonder what ever happened to him?
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Imagine being rich and still struggling... :silly:
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
The Morris boys wouldn't be on huge money - They are probably 2 of the best value players in the league. Friend and JWH would be on good money as well, but they have been at the club since 2008 and 2010 respectively, so it isn't like either have been testing the market significantly to drive up their price. Tupou was picked up 8 years ago as a Parramatta junior cast off - they probably have him for under what some of the desperate clubs are paying wingers
Paul
Roar Guru
exactly. They and the Storm have this salary cap caper down pat, while the rest of the Clubs, including my Dragons, manage their player contracts pretty badly.
Pete
Guest
Over the last two seasons they've lost Cronk, Latrell, Flanagan, Aubusson, Kepaoa, Faamausili, Hall and Tuipulotu. The brought in JMorris, Flanagan (who's gone now), Suallii and Adam Keighran. Cronk and Latrell's contracts alone would of been worth more than the guys that they have brought in.
Rob
Guest
Plus they lost Cronk and Latrell last year and brought in Flanagan and JMoz as their replacements who are on a lot less money. Easy to see where they've got the money if you take the time to look into their squad.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
If he played table tennis then he’d be part of the South’s Juniors Table Tennis Club.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Anyone remember Karl Filiga...?