Rugby Australia is reportedly edging closer to a deal to bring NRL and State of Origin star Joseph Suaalii back to the game he excelled in as a schoolboy.
While The Roar understands no deal has been signed at the time of writing, multiple reports on Friday suggested the Roosters youngster was close to agreeing a deal.
Suaalii is seen as a potential game changer for the XV man code and a player who can become the face of the game when the British and Irish Lions tour Down under in 2025 and Australia pushes through to a home World Cup in 2027.
There is serious concern at high levels that media reports could be a case of brinkmanship and that Rugby Australia could yet miss out to an improved offer from the Roosters and their influential chief Nick Politis. Suaalii recently signed a one year extension to the end of 2024 with the Roosters.
Mat Rogers, who was a high profile rugby league convert who played for Eddie Jones’ Wallabies at the 2003 World Cup, urged RA to get the deal done, saying reported figures of $1 million a season were too low.
“I don’t think an offer [of $1 million] is enough,” Rogers told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“He’d make more money playing rugby league. There’s no doubt he’d be a phenomenal player in rugby. I tell you, it’ll get people watching the game. They desperately need it. You can’t be stupid, but rugby need to pay him what he wants to get him there. The game is really suffering.
“He’s an absolute superstar and he’s going to get better. He’s 19. He’s going to get stronger and faster. He will dominate the rugby league or rugby union landscape for the next 10 years. If I was him, I would stay in league for a little bit longer and establish myself as a dominant force in the game. Then I’d go over after you have years under your belt.”
Jones chose to steer clear of the topic on Friday when asked about Suaalii.
“The only thing I’m worried about is this World Cup,” Jones said with a poker face on. “I’ve got no thought pattern past October 28, zero and I can’t afford to.”
A high level rugby source told The Roar the deal was “in balance”on Monday, and rumours have been swirling ever since then.
Stan Sport pundit and player’s union boss Justin Harrison, said the potential signing was “huge” but Suaalii wouldn’t necessarily be an instant sugar hit on the field.
“It’s not new headlines, he’s been talked about for a little while. Switch codes? I would say coming back to rugby union, the foundation of the sport that created the phenomenon that is Joseph… we know we also want the best Wallabies possible in a competitive environment,” the former Wallaby said on Rugby Heaven.
“Let’s remember, he’s not guaranteed selection, he’s going have to prove himself and he’s using market forces now to generate some leverage.”
piru
Roar Rookie
I mean we could spend that million dollars on scouts and programs for kids so that league doesn't have a free run at them. Crazy thought I know
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Simple for me and most mainstream rugby fans. They want to see best talent on display and if they play league but suited to our game, target them and bring them across. This ain’t new as this is what league does. If we don’t do this we just let league have a first dibs on all the talent.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Especially forwards, as NRL forwards have no idea!
Frank from Geebung
Roar Rookie
Carrigan said it when asked what club he’d go to post Drongos. He looks after himself, but agree, 30+ is pushing it.
Jackass
Roar Rookie
He played schoolboy rugby, and not one game while in year 12. Rugby did not develop him, perhaps Kings a bit but at that age and level it's his freakish athleticism and probably league training and development he was likely getting from around 12 years old. FFS, What the he'll is the obsession with league players.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Player agents seem to be the primary source of sports reporters these days. Tiresome.
Fishman
Roar Rookie
This is about Test rugby not Super Rugby. Folau did not carry the Wallabies to great heights. No one player can.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Carigan would be a solid 6 or 8.. probably has a background in union and has a giant motor and strong running game. I’d take a punt on him more than any backline player… it’s where we need more depth
Henri
Roar Rookie
JS is a RL junior & only started playing RU when at Kings. Whole time though still played RL. This example is effectively the same with majority of so called ‘RU juniors’.
jeznez
Roar Guru
It’s not.
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. So he will go to the Tahs and they can carry him and Hooper putting them 1 million dollars over what anyone else can spend. Can't see how that's fair on the other four either.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
He was amazing.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Or a Lions series loser like Campo's big stuff up.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I heard 4 mil not 8.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes I'd like to hear what Wendell Sailor's opinion is
piru
Roar Rookie
Why is it that league pinches a union player who is a super star but when we go to get him back people cry about grass roots. Because if we take him back, we're telling the other kids not to stay in rugby, go ahead, sign with a league club and we'll throw money at you in 5 years time to come back.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I’d take Tuquiri.. not fussed about the rest
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Getting more tatts
Hoy
Roar Guru
Scored a ripper try.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That's not how RA works. There is a component from the Super club which is under the salary cap, and a component from RA as a top up which is outside the cap.