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Jed Holloway believes Joseph Suaalii can have the same impact in rugby that Israel Folau had when the cross-code star joined the Waratahs.
While former Wallabies captain Chris Whitaker says his generation benefited from having an NRL injection into the national team in the lead-up to the 2003 World Cup and believes the current team can also benefit from the headline signings.
For the second time in three months, rugby was the talk of the town across the Eastern Seaboard after yet another big signing.
In January it was Eddie Jones’ extraordinary return that was on the tongues of rugby followers.
Now, Jones’ first-big recruit, Suaalii, has created the same fanfare across the two rugby codes after the teenage sensation’s multimillion-dollar deal to jump codes.
While some have questioned whether the seven-figure deal, which is thought to be around $1.5 million, is the best use of Rugby Australia’s precious few dollars, the current generation of players was supportive of his decision to jump onboard ahead of the British and Irish Lions season in 2025.
Holloway, who spent the best part of a decade playing Super Rugby and a brief stint overseas before being given a Wallabies jersey, said Suaalii’s signing reminded him of when Folau signed with the Waratahs in December 2012.
“I think it’s exciting,” the Wallabies forward said.
“I was in the squad when Izzy got announced and as a young kid, I think I was only 19 at the time, I can just remember going home and being so excited that one of my heroes was coming over to rugby union.
“Joseph’s kind of the same age as a lot of the young guys here, but he definitely has that presence and that aura around his name and stuff like that. So, we’re super excited.”
After Suaalii’s high-profile switch, Roosters teammate Brandon Smith cheekily said the winger’s acquisition wouldn’t be enough for the Wallabies to end their drought against the All Blacks.
“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.”
NRL chair Peter V’landys, meanwhile, said Suaalii would likely get bored and eventually return to the NRL.
“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,” V’landys said.
“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.
“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.”
After RA chairman Hamish McLennan fired back, calling the NRL “cry babies”, Holloway supported the governing body’s decision to lure some big names back to rugby and fired off his own barb.
“It’s good to see rugby in the headlines again, creating a bit of controversy,” he said.
“But we’ve got some great people in the building here and we’ve got some great development come through, so I think if we can snag a couple more of them that would be great.”
He added: “I just reckon Joseph wants to do more travel than the east coast of Australia. But it’s always nice a dig between rugby and rugby league.”
Joseph Suaalii. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
While the Waratahs won’t get to see Suaalii pull on the blue jersey until 2025, Whitaker said fans wanted to see the best players, regardless of where they’ve come from, play.
“I think it’s important,” he said.
“I was involved back in the playing days when we had Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri and we were averaging 30,000 people at the football stadium back then. And I think that’s not necessarily because they’re league players or union players, it’s because they’re the best players.
“I think people want to come and watch the best players and we’re lucky enough we kept Max Jorgensen in rugby. He’s grown up playing rugby and now Joseph’s coming back to rugby as well, so it’s nothing but positive.”
He added: “To be involved with players like Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri, it adds a lot of buzz and they definitely improve that level of rugby that everyone wants to see.”
The longer-term ramifications of signing Suaalii on such a big deal remain to be seen, but the fact RA is moving closer to formalising its private equity package should help its efforts to keep hold of its other key players.
Jorgensen, particularly, is someone RA won’t want to lose, with the 18-year-old sensation turning down NRL advances to sign with the Waratahs last year.
He is sure to attract more attention when he comes off contract at the end of 2024, but already RA is exploring options at extending his deal – all but certainly on a higher deal.
McLennan said he would be surprised if anyone, particularly Jorgensen, was to leave with two once-in-a-lifetime moments on the horizon.
“No doubt they will try and pick off somebody like Max,” McLennan said.
“But we love him and his contract renewal will be when he’ll be on the cusp of playing on the Lions Tour and then the Rugby World Cup in 2027 which league just can’t compete with.”
Queensland-based Wallaby, Fraser McReight, who recently re-signed with Rugby Australia, also supported the move.
“Personally, I don’t feel conflicted at all … I think it’s great for the game,” he said.
“I’m a forward, love putting a good base for a classy outside back to finish.”
While Nic White, whose future at the Brumbies is in the balance, also supported the move and said he wanted to play alongside the burgeoning back.
“Yeah, bloody oath mate,” he said.
“Can’t you hear the excitement in my voice over the next five years how good’ll it be here.
“Mate, of course I want to be here. That’s massive. That Lions series can be won or lost off one moment. It was Justin Harrison way back and it was probably Leigh Halfpenny’s boot or a miskick last time they were out, so it can be one moment that can win that series.
“It’s such a big series and yeah, I’d love to be a part of it. Obviously, there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before then. But how exciting and it’s pretty exciting to have a guy like Joseph come over and throw his hat in the ring for that.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.