Rugby league boss Peter V’landys has made his first pronouncement on Joseph Suaalii’s move to rugby union, describing the move as ‘easy money’ for the Roosters star and suggesting that he would return to league before his career was out.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, V’landys declared that it was hard to argue with Suaalii’s motives for the switch, but that he would eventually tire of his new game.
“It’s hard to blame Joseph for going to rugby and considering it as his future when he is going to be paid twice the money for doing half the work,” said the ARLC chairman.
“In rugby they play around 33 minutes per match, but in league the ball is in play for 57 minutes, so it would be a lot easier to earn your money.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“Besides, I really think that after Joseph plays rugby for a little while he will get terribly bored and return to rugby league. That’s what the majority of the players who switch codes do.”
Suaalii’s teammate Brandon Smith also gave him a light-hearted sledging, telling media that union was ‘soft’.
“Super stoked for him, he’s an amazing talent and rugby really got a gem there,” Smith said. “(But) a $1.6 million winger from the Roosters isn’t going to help you beat the All Blacks.
“Like Peter V’landys said, go over, get that easy money and then come back to the real sport. That $1.6 million could’ve been spent better on the grassroots of rugby. We used to always call my uncle soft for playing union. I was brought up in rugby league household.”
Newly-minted Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has made no secret of wanting to entice ex-schoolboy players back to rugby since replacing Dave Rennie in January.
South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray sits atop his wishlist, while other ex-schoolboy rugby stars in the NRL include Angus Crichton, Taane Milne and Will Penisini.
Rugby Australia doesn’t have the financial wherewithal to hand out $1.6 million contracts willy-nilly but the Roosters are resigned to Jones spruiking union to other NRL players.
“Any code would be silly not to target the best players,” utility Drew Hutchison said. “I don’t know if I see it as a threat as such, I more just see it as normal competition. You’ll probably see a bit more of it.”
Smith believes his former Melbourne teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona would be the perfect candidate for an All-Blacks raid; the towering Kiwi has previously expressed interest in returning to the game of his childhood and comes off contract at the end of this season.
“He’s definitely thought about it, whether he does it or not I don’t know, it’d be hard to leave the Storm for him,” Smith said. “He’s been there since day dot but (union) suits his lifestyle as well. He loves to travel.
“I think (Suaalii) is probably the first they’ve got that’s a young, rising talent. So hopefully they don’t take too many of those. (But) there’s always the next kid coming up through the ranks.”
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Suaalii has already been likened to legendary code-hoppers Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams and just like Williams before him, the Roosters are tipping Suaalii to circle back to the NRL after a spell in union.
“Once he’s built $3 million worth of houses, he’ll come back and hopefully he’ll come back to the Roosters,” Smith said.
Roosters halfback Sam Walker, who himself played rugby union for GPS school Ipswich Grammar, said Suaalii’s skillset would make it easy to transition back and forth.
“He’s an unbelievable athlete, he could do whatever he wanted to do,” he said.
with AAP
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
I spoke about his switch with a Wallaby at the time - he said Gasnier was too slow to be a top winger and he attacked by taking the outside of the defender, which meant he wouldn’t make it far as a centre. I used to follow the Dragons so this dampened my enthusiasm, but it was proven to be correct. Had Gasnier switched earlier I’m certain he had the tools to be an excellent rugby player.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Reckon the long game would be steeling NRL scouts rather than persisiting with the careers advisor at Joeys to sport footy talent.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
They gave $BW a crack and he dominated in a position he'd never tried before. Reckon Cheese at No 10 would go better than old mate did.
Dally M
Roar Rookie
Fittler didn't need to comment at all, unless it was something he was considering did he?
frisky
Roar Rookie
Smith may site numbers about time in play, but as 80% of the time is spent by big forwards barging into the opposition for four or five boring tackles and then kicking, the amount of creative play is very small.
frisky
Roar Rookie
Smith may site numbers about time in play, but is 80% of the time is spent by boofy forwards barging into the opposition for four or five boring tackles and then kicking, the amount of creative play is very small.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
well he won't have to be as fit from all of that running back and forth 10 meters at each play the ball. No doub't he'll enjoy a pro-contract in Japan, enjoy France, and play to packed stadiums in the UK, at RWC & Lions tour, now let's compare that to a RLWC stadium & we all know how empty the Roosters stadiums are at their home games.
Nat
Roar Guru
So you would rather have Fittler rule it out? And if he doesn’t rule it out then he must be in? There are 2 spots and any number of highly credentialed wingers, centres and FBs that could fill those roles. FMD for the 25th time he is a rookie with potential. He has achieved nothing and not better than any number of players in the same position. RA are buying a kid who should be great by 2025. He is not there yet.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
You'd have trouble convincing anyone that JS, "grew up as school boy union player". According to Wikipedia he played RL for years before his time at Kings, he appears to have continued as a Leaguie during that time as well, playing for South Sydney in the Harold Matthews (U16). Further on this 'Rugby background' refrain that we routinely hear, I wonder how many of these types were actually Leaguies who were given (sporting) scholarships to private schools? The classic example of this would be The Finest Footballer to Ever Lace Up a Boot, Wally Lewis.
Dally M
Roar Rookie
So that explains why Fittler specifically commented this week saying he would still consider selecting him even though he's signed with rugby?
Nat
Roar Guru
What? What has a birth certificate for to do with making an origin team? He is not good enough to make our rep teams, that is what I mean by he is 5th in line. The NRL had established stars, Suaali'i is 2nd year rookie.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
It may be a fact, but it's an entirely irrelevant fact. Some people believe volleyball to be the greatest game of them all. The "fact" that > 99% of the world's population disagrees with them does not change their opinion.
RogerBroughton
Roar Rookie
"Union is soft". Weak Leagie cope. Tell that to Matt Rogers.
KenW
Roar Rookie
He was neither of those things - although outright speed was not his primary weapon. Did you actually see him play? He was in France for less than 18 months, wikipedia says he was the Top 14's top tryscorer for the single complete season he did.
AntiCorey
Roar Rookie
Nat, can you explain how Joseph’s Australian birth certificate is of lesser value to yours or anybody else?
Dbellnz bell
Roar Rookie
you get hit 80% more than a 5-pass kick game. The scrums are much tougher, as are the ruck and maul. No league player has ever been an instant success. so yeah, he will earn his money. Outside a east coast oz, Auckland NZ, or 3 county England game.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
"a 1.6 million winger isn't gona help you beat the all blacks" - well said smith :laughing:
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
I mean all of these linked league players to union, they grew up as school boy union players. I would have like the 1.6-million go to retaining the best under-20s prospects. 32 x 50k contracts. We could have professionalised the Oz under-20s for the same amount of money, produce 32 full-time elite players each year for SR clubs to then sign at 21.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
A mate just made the following crack: “is this the Pete Vlandy’s Respect Round”. Aha ha ha.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
I didn’t say anything about whether he was “worth it”. A marginally better winger will always help you win a game. If this were not true, there would be no value in trying to select the best winger to play on the wing. It is trivially obvious that no matter what position a player is in, if he is better than the alternative he will be of more assistance in winning a game than the inferior player would have been.