Former Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri has boldly declared Joseph Suaalii could be the best code-hopper yet.
Tuqiri played in the 2003 World Cup final in a squad that included league converts Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor.
“He could get to Israel Folau status,” Tuqiri told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“He probably could be better. He could be better than all of us rugby league converts. Joseph Suaalii could be a force to be reckoned with.”
Tuqiri backed Phil Waugh’s suggestion that Suaalii go on the Wallabies end of season European tour as his first foray into rugby after leaving the NRL Roosters at the end of the 2024 season.
“There would be a chance [of player unrest],” Tuqiri acknowledged. “I actually feel a bit sorry for the kid. He’s just doing the best for himself. There always will be a bit of conjecture. On the whole, if you play in a team environment, you want success and the best players. He’s not going back to rugby because he’s a dud. I think the players will get around it.
Joseph Suaalii . (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“I think there was a little bit [of blowback] when I was coming through … and I get that because guys have been playing rugby their whole life. You’ve just got to be good enough.
“At the end of the day, we weren’t good enough [at the World Cup]. We picked blokes to go to the World Cup who we thought were good enough but weren’t. That quality was terrible.
“You’d be silly not to take him. They’ve made a big investment. He’s been playing at a high level with the Roosters. I think you try and fast-track him in. Whether he plays or not is another question. What we saw in the World Cup is not having enough experience. I think just being away with blokes will stand him in good stead going into 2025.”
Tuqiri said it would be natural for Suaalii to have some doubts over his decision to change codes. There have already been reports that he’s talking of an NRL return in 2028 when his union contract expires after the World Cup.
“If I’m him, I would have some doubts if I made the right decision,” Tuqiri said. “He’ll have another 12 months to see where the game goes. It can only go up in Australia. He’s a young bloke who’s signed for a lot of money in a game where he can actually play. He seems very level-headed and mature for a 20-year-old kid.”
Barrett gets go-ahead for All Blacks return
Beauden Barrett’s contract saga appears to have reached a conclusion with Stuff reporting a new deal with the All Blacks and Bues could be revealed this week.
“Stuff understands Barrett’s new contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues, with a significant third-party contribution once again, is set to be revealed as early as this week after taking some time to get over the line. It will take him through until the 2027 World Cup, and give new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson a valuable veteran option at No 10 in the post-Richie Mo’unga era,” wrote Marc Hinton.
He said the Blues declined to comment on the negotiations.
Barrett has played 123 times for the All Blacks and was keen to come back after a one year deal in Japan.
The new deal means he could make a claim on the All Blacks Test cap record of 153 set by Sam Whitelock at the World Cup.
Nienaber off to a winning start
Springboks’ World Cup winning coach had another tight victory to launch his coaching career with Leinster in the URC – his team beating Connacht 24-22 with a late try in his first game at the helm.
It was Nienaber’s debut after the one point victory in the World Cup final.
Before the game Nienaber explained why he swapped the world champions for club rugby.
“That was part of the challenge, to come into an environment where there’s no place for mediocracy,” Nienaber told the Leinster website.
“When you look at Leinster from the outside, the product they deliver on the pitch, it’s clear that it’s not a place for mediocracy. That’s the challenge that you want.
“Not that I had any of that in South Africa, but for a change-up, getting our family over here and for some more personal reasons, that’s the reason we made the move as a family.
“From a work perspective, the challenge is massive. Both the demands from the coaches and the players as well, they are top international players that have won a lot of accolades, they’ll definitely keep you on your toes.”
Nienaber previously spent a season with Munster under Rassie Erasmus.
“It always helps coming back to a country, we were open and honest, me and my family, about our time in Ireland. We really enjoyed living in Ireland. Life happened and we moved back,” Nienaber said.
“Now we’re back, it’s a nice challenge with Leinster.
“A lot of people might ask: ‘why leave international rugby for a club job’? But, the challenge with Leinster is massive. The expectations are massive at Leinster.
“You certainly can’t turn to the squad and give any excuses, in terms of the players, the skill set, the athleticism we have to work with. The demands will be massive and that’s why it’s a nice challenge for me, personally.”
Gary Russell-Sharam
Roar Rookie
The three that played before Lote, Wendall and Matt were well known really good experienced league players. They bought with them a great interest to see if they could convert to rugby. They made a success of it and went on to play some great rugby. Because of their status in league they put bums on seats and paid for themselves in tickets sales, so the investment in them was warranted. The bonus was that they performed very well and contributed to the success of the Wallabies and their club sides. Now we have a young man that is a good club player (that is all) being paid a large amount just on spec. He is not a SOO champion and has achieved a good level at his club but that's all. Therein lies the difference in him to them. I do not think that heaps of people are going to pay overs to see if he does OK. Therefor he either has to be a standout super star to recoup the outlay or it will be a financial failure. Enormous pressure to be under even before you play. IMO he should spend some time at the Tahs to learn first before we evaluate him and not put him in the Wallabies tour side on spec
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
It’s a very poor example to pick a player who hasnt played a professional rugby game in the Wallabies squad. Hope he does well in union. It wont be easy though as when he was in school he was about a foot taller and 10 yards faster than anyone on the pitch. He will have to adapt as he wont have as great an advantage as before
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I think the games continue to be drifting apart. Just like the amateur days, rugby backs will start to look relatively attractive because of better skill sets. I doubt if either code has a huge number of players who can make an instant transition.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Are you saying Izzy was popular with his team mates?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
make his team worse as everyone else has to cover for his faults Nope this is about what YOU said. Plainly not what his teammates thought.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
If you think Folau was ever a best player then you have a very different criteria for that than I have. Based on his performance on the field he was never even close to as “best player”
Mactruck
Roar Rookie
Agree had some limitations but does hold the super rugby try record. No mug.
Hoy
Roar Guru
And hookers for god's sake... Hookers that can scrummage and throw when things really get going, and if they can get around the park and annoy people like Coles, that would be helpful too... but I'd settle for one who can scrummage and throw and hit it every time.
piru
Roar Rookie
This isn’t really a hot take. Shock horror. Rugby League convert will be better than the bunch of private school buys who haven’t competed against anyone but their daddie’s mates for their whole junior career. Shock horror. Mungo thinks league players are automatically tougher than rugby players. Go back to sleep mate, Centrelink's not open for another hour
Donbich
Roar Rookie
Ahhhhhh what. Did you not watch Rugby when it was good? Eales was the legend.
Donbich
Roar Rookie
This isn't really a hot take. Shock horror. Rugby League convert will be better than the bunch of private school buys who haven't competed against anyone but their daddie's mates for their whole junior career. The best athletes in Australia don't play Rugby Union. So yeah, not a big thing to suggest A League Convert will dominate.
piru
Roar Rookie
I doubt very much he'll be better than Mr Tuqiri I agree though, the poor bugger hasn't even put a rugby jersey on yet and he's already got the world on his shoulders. No good can come of this
KenW
Roar Rookie
New South Wales assistant Greg Alexander says Suaalii hasn’t been named to play ahead of those who narrowly missed out, with the youngster instead joining the squad to gain experience for future campaigns. *SEN 01/06/22 He was never 3rd in line for a NSW spot. He was a talented young player selected for an extended squad for experience. Some players in a similar scenarios go on to long rep careers, others never get selected again. He wasn't in the squad in 2023 despite Freddy saying that his situation wouldn't be a factor. The Dally M's - it's a clunky system. Jamayne Isaako was Dally M winger of the year this year, Ezra Mam was 5/8th. They had strong years and congrats to them on the award but, like Suaalii and many others, it's hard to imagine any knowledgeable judge anointing them as best in their positions. Bad players don't get these awards but it often goes to those that clearly aren't the best. It’s not a stretch to say that 4 years later with 4 full seasons of professional sport under his belt that he will be one of the best players in his position in Aus across NRL and Rugby Union. That's definitely possible but hardly a sure thing.
Bearswanatah
Roar Rookie
Forwards win rugby games, not backs - best of luck to Joseph, he's done well wedging the codes against themselves, who can blame him... he will need 2-3 years of development. Let's hope the ARU figures out soon that forwards win rugby games.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
So who should vote for it then? On what basis do you think team mates vote? Is it just a coincidence that it seems to go to one of our best players each year?
Hoy
Roar Guru
I think he went back to league for a reason Blinky.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's ludicrous to say he's a decent club first grader. He was adjudicated to be one of the two best in his position his first season. He was also 3rd in line for a NSW wing spot his first season. This was the year he turned 19. It's not a stretch to say that 4 years later with 4 full seasons of professional sport under his belt that he will be one of the best players in his position in Aus across NRL and Rugby Union.
KenW
Roar Rookie
It’s not ludicrous. He’s a good League player. He’s about 5th in line for a NSW wing spot. I think it’s ludicrous that he’ll be instantly in the national team when he switches to Union.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
I don't dismiss them at all, but getting a medal from teammates votes is more a popularity medal than one based on performance
Ray
Roar Rookie
Rathbone and Roff were better players than any of the converts for me.