The announcement of the signing of Sydney Roosters’ outside back Joseph Suaalii on a three-year contract worth $1.6m per season from the end of 2024 is one of the most bizarre decisions ever made by Rugby Australia, and given their track record, that’s saying something.
Based on the reaction to the news by fans and administrators from both codes, commentators, out of touch idealogues like Phil Gould, and virtually anyone with leather elbow patches, the moment young Joseph put pen to paper was possibly the biggest moment in Australian rugby since either Matt “Friar Tuck” Dunning landed his unwanted field goal nearly twenty years ago, or the sacking of under-performing Wallabies coach Eddie Jones some two years later.
RA emptied their piggy bank to land the potential star despite the fact that he’s yet to celebrate his 20th birthday, has played just 34 NRL games, and won’t have played a game of rugby for some five years by the time he makes the switch.
This all-in play is partly justified by RA on the basis that Suaalii will become their flag bearer in 2024, and in the meantime, will generate valuable exposure for the 15-man game. Or will it? Perhaps what they’ve done instead is provided the NRL with a RA funded, two year advertising campaign?
Joseph Suaalii . (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Following the news of the young prodigy’s signing, I strongly suspect that there wasn’t a single Australian rugby fan with access to a TV remote who didn’t secretly tune in to the Roosters versus Parramatta NRL showdown on Thursday night, not only to see what all the Sua’ali’i fuss is about, but also to see what rugby can expect to get for its money.
They certainly would’ve liked what they saw, as following a failed HIA by Roosters number 1 James Tedesco early in the match, Sua’ali’i switched to fullback, really showed his class and went on to play a very influential role in his team’s victory.
After that introduction, you can bet RA’s bottom dollar that rugby fans tune in en masse again next week, and the weeks after that, for some more Suaalii magic, and to watch rugby’s future saviour in action.
This will not only be a big shot in the arm for the NRL’s viewing figures over the next couple of years, but who knows, the more rugby fans watch the more they will inevitably be drawn to rugby league and the other talented NRL players who put Suaalii in the shade?
It would certainly be preferable to watching Australian sides lose week after week to their Kiwi cousins in the Super Rugby.
If NRL supremo Peter Vlandy’s is smart, and yes, that is a big “if”, he’ll ensure that young Joseph is also selected in the NSW Origin team, the Australian team, and any other team he can think of, to ensure maximum return for the NRL on RA’s investment.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Suaallii was pretty quiet last night Beathy.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Disagree. RA need the money spent on this kid to sign 16 U18/U20 Union players. $100k each. Lock em in...
KenW
Roar Rookie
I think you've taken the article a bit more seriously than Tony did!
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
Choppy, I’m a Tahs fan too, and sometimes you have to step out of your battered Tahs supporter mindset and appreciate the incident for the comical, once in a generation act of stupidity it was. Reminds me of that joke about the guy that built many bridges, many buildings etc. “nobody calls me Dave the bridge maker. But. I **** one goat!”
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
Yeah I’m not so sure. I went to Australia’s premier union school and it’s my preferred code but for a period of time I watched only league. Now I’m back watching both. Hearts and minds can change.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hey you just watch it. My boy Tyson is going good. But to be fair we need to nominate another player who fits the criteria. Her name is Sharon (with the chasers)
matth
Roar Guru
Can anyone every be truly ready for Tyson?
Tempo
Roar Rookie
I'd certainly keep an eye on them if that happened and head down to the ground if they played a match or two at North Sydney Oval.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Show me the evidence, thanks. No probs. I'll meet you at the ARU's home stadium...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
and let’s make the most of the players we have recruited and cultivated to win premierships. Yep. Cooper Cronk had no clue about winning until he went to the Chooks...
ignas
Roar Rookie
Yes, you have a clear case for compensation, amongst others!!
Tony
Roar Guru
Do you really think rugby's ready for Tyson Gamble?
matth
Roar Guru
And a World Cup in Australia might have had something to do with that
matth
Roar Guru
Yes but the sugar hit had zero long term effect. Maybe instead of repeating that RA look at different ways to commit their resources.
Tony
Roar Guru
And yet, the only place rugby fans can watch their next big thing, who will cost them $4.8m, is when he plays NRL for the Roosters :happy:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think it’s more about getting those casual league watchers who aren’t die hards to tune in
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Australian rugby was at its peak for crowds and ratings around the time Dell switched
ignas
Roar Rookie
The Roosters are paying for Sua'li'i for the next two years. Rugby is NOW reaping the benefits of all the hype for that two years. Then Rugby starts paying in 2025 & will continue to reap the benefits in a two year lead up to a home Lions Tour & World Cup. That is worth $100's millions to OZ rugby multiplied by the Sua'li'i factor. NRL is not cashing in on Rugby payments to Sua'li'i it's clearly the other way around.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I miss the bears and the Jets. Tempo ,what if the only the Bears come back is a relocation or a merger. eg play out of Central Coast or merge with Perth Pirates.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: