It was less than 10 months ago that Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan gleefully celebrated Joseph Suaalii’s acquisition, but according to Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis the NRL star is already plotting a return.
Suaalii, 20, signed a three-year deal with RA in late March worth an estimated $1.6 million per season.
He is due to join Australian rugby following the 2024 NRL season with the Roosters, where he is likely to be taken on the Wallabies’ end of season spring tour.
McLennan celebrated the former Australian Schoolboy’s signature, saying the code was “delighted to have him back home.”
While some rugby figures like Morgan Turinui said Suaalii would well and truly pay the code back in spades with his output on the field, others were less enthusiastic given the cash-strapped nature of the game.
Could Joseph Suaalii return to the NRL at the end of his mega $1.6 million deal? (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Just like Israel Folau’s arrival to rugby in 2013, Suaalii will arrive in time to push for selection against the British and Irish Lions.
His contract also takes him through until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the prized showpiece event Australia will host.
But then, according to Politis, Suaalii will return to the NRL.
”Joseph is a good guy, a good kid,” Politis told Nine.
“It’s sad that we’ve lost him to (rugby) union, but he tells us he’s coming back in 2028.”
Asked whether he would welcome Suaalii back, Politis said “of course.”
He added: “Always a Rooster.”
The Roosters have a history of welcoming players back to the club, with two-time World Cup Sonny Bill Williams previously switching between the NRL club and the All Blacks.
Politis’ comments came as Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase met with Roosters officials, including coach Trent Robinson, on Tuesday.
Nawaqanitawase, 23, is off contract at the end of 2024 and Suaalii’s defection means not only do the Roosters have some cash to spend, but Rugby Australia will likely have less to keep other backs themselves.
The NRL has also expressed their desire to chase some of rugby’s best talent, with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo admitting that setting up a fund was on the agenda.
“We want the best athletes playing our game, whether that’s the men’s or women’s competition,” Abdo said.
“Growth is on our agenda, so while our primary focus is developing rugby league talent through our own pathways, we’re also open to attracting and, potentially in some cases, returning to league from other codes.
“Would salary-cap relief be potentially used? Yes.
“That’s an absolute possibility that the commission will consider, and consider in due course.”
NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn and Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh at Daceyville on November 14, 2023 in Sydney. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said the governing body needed to do more to ensure the current crop of players felt confident in the direction the game was heading.
“The players are a critical part of this journey,” Waugh told reporters on Tuesday.
“I think we’ve talked about building trust and credibility across the ecosystem, I think building trust and actually regaining that trust with that player group is actually really important at the moment.
“I’m constantly talking to the senior players in the Wallabies to ensure that they’re clear on the journey that we have.
“With the runway we have, and I know it’s not far away with the British and Irish Lions in ‘25 and World Cup in ‘27, it should be pretty exciting for them to stand up and be a part of it.”
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Just take the ridiculous amounts of cash , rest up , have a sabbatical in France and come back fresh to the mighty Roosters.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure it would be worse. It’d at least demonstrate that the Wallabies have standards, something they’ve failed to show in the past
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
I suspect if Suaali was to return to that other ‘game’, it would be for money – there is nothing else that could possibly be an attraction. But if money was the motivator, which I suspect it is not, playing Rugby in France or Japan would be far more lucrative and at the same time giving you the opportunity to experience a different culture.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
If RA can produce a pro domestic competition then for sure I don’t mind seeing number of oz teams reduced in super rugby… But that is the problem as we can’t afford to do both and shrinking our pro footprint from a content and relevance perspective against rival footy codes who continue to expand their national footprint is just an obvious receipe for disaster. Oh hold on Australian pro rugby is already a disaster.
ols
Roar Pro
Perhaps he can just stay where he is and save us $1.6 million
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He was on the radar in 2022. He started slowly in 2023. Hardly a surprise after his first full season and shortened pre season due to the RLWC.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Totally random thought ... to bring him up to speed with RU, send him to the Alhambra-Union Rugby Club in Dunedin to learn the game! (Michael Witt was sent there to convert to RU. Remember him??!) The club also plays in the local RL competition so he can stay fresh in both games! Yep, that's right ... you read it first here from me! :stoked: :stoked:
KenW
Roar Rookie
It is odd. He has all the physical attributes and has shown a glimmer of genuine talent but right now he isn't on the radar to play for NSW yet alone Australia in League. But having made such a big fuss, and spent so much money getting him, the pressure to give him a Wallaby jersey would be overwhelming.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Compared to who? He was a Dally M winger of the year. Rugby struggles to develop wingers of even SR standard.
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Beautiful, just beautiful. Hamish McLennan throws $4.8m at this winger ............ a winger for goodness sakes & now we believe he intends taking the money & running. Yet another outstanding business decision by Hamish. Really ?
Frankly
Roar Rookie
Yep, it's pretty bad
Frankly
Roar Rookie
RA needs to start using Super Rugby as a training run for the Wallabies. SR should reduce the number of teams and the reduce the length of the competition. RA needs to focus on a professional domestic competition which the public can follow. Australia only need 2 or 3 teams in Super Rugby. The best 60 to 90 players from the Australian domestic competition which fill those teams provide a condense pool of rugby talent to select the Wallabies from.
Dyskolos
Roar Rookie
And now the NRL are talking about salary cap exemptions so the their clubs can go after rugby players. Nice one, Hamish. Start a bidding war you can't possibly win. The way our young players have been treated this year they'd be fools not to consider a switch. I shudder to think what the next brilliant plan to come out of RA HQ will be.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
I wish Nick Politis would take over RA.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Crazy he made Dally M team of the year the year he turned 19 then...
Brett305
Roar Rookie
Watched him play NRL and was underwhelmed with his performance..I find it disrespectful to current and former wallabies that this unproven player is given guarantees of a gold jersey..no wonder RA is a basket case..
Guess
Roar Rookie
I don't expect integrity from someone who was hired by mcclown
KenW
Roar Rookie
We all know they will play him. They're paying him 1.6m for publicity purposes, the only thing worse than him playing badly would be him not playing at all.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
So a player coming to the game to chase the dollars, is likely to return to the other game for more dollars later. I’m not sure what is so surprising about that. I just hope he isn’t shown a Wallaby jersey until he proves he has earned it by demonstrating in Super Rugby that he’s one of the best 4 wingers playing rugby in Australia. The way RA have thrown the Wallaby jersey at undeserving ex league players is a disgrace and does nothing for the game or the supporters
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
People say this stuff all the time. I moved to Melbourne for a couple of years. That was over a decade ago. He has fond memories at the roosters and none with the wallabies. In 3 years he may be loving the wallabies, or wowed by French and Japanese offers.