Joseph Suaalii’s monster three-year deal with Rugby Australia includes a secret $4 million clause that could extend his time in rugby union until the end of 2029.
Rugby Australia last year announced that the sport had secured the services of Suaalii on a record-breaking three-year contract worth a reported $5.3 million to lure the then 19-year-old away from rugby league.
Sources with knowledge of Suaalii’s deal speaking on the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality have told the Herald that the deal struck with former RA chairman Hamish McLennan, and signed off by the board, also includes a two-year player option.
The option, secured by his agent Isaac Moses, allows his client the right to trigger a further two years on his contract if he chooses, and is worth at least the amount of the third season of his deal, taking the contract value to more than $8 million over five years.
Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh would not comment on player contracts when contacted for comment by the Herald on Monday but admitted he was excited about welcoming Suaalii to the sport.
“We’re looking forward to Joseph’s return to rugby,” Waugh told the Herald on Tuesday night.
Joseph Suaalii in action against the Melbourne Storm.Credit: Getty Images
“There has already been plenty of discussion and commentary ahead of his move because Joseph is a special talent who naturally generates public interest. We strongly believe he will make a positive contribution to the game on and off the field.”
News Corp previously reported Suaalii’s rugby contract would rise from $1.6 million in 2025 to $1.8 million in 2026 and then $1.95 million in the final year.
Given the highest-paid player in the NRL, believed to be Kalyn Ponga, is on a contract worth around $1.4 million a season, the news of Suaalii’s mammoth $2 million-a-year player option significantly dents the NRL’s hopes of luring him back to the sport before 2030.
Part of the attraction of playing for the Wallabies was the chance to represent his country against the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia next year. The guaranteed three-year deal also includes a World Cup on home soil in 2027.
Roosters centre Joseph Suaalii battles the Eels’ defence.Credit: Getty Images
If Suaalii triggers his player option for 2028 and 2029, it would provide him the opportunity of representing Australia in rugby sevens at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in four years’ time.
In Rugby Australia’s first pursuit of Suaalii four years ago, they tried to use the lure of playing at the Olympics to keep him away from South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters, who ultimately snared his signature.
The original deal with the Roosters also included a player option in 2024, which he triggered before committing to the Wallabies from 2025.
Suaalii’s agent Isaac Moses is known for inserting clauses into the contracts of his clients in the NRL.
Isaac Moses is one of the NRL’s most influential agents.Credit: Ben Symons
He recently used a player option in rookie sensation Blaize Talagi’s contract to manoeuvre a deal that saw him leave the Eels to join premiers Penrith next year.
Other clients with player options in contracts negotiated by Moses include Will Penisini (2026) and fellow Eels teammate Mitchell Moses (2027).
The Sydney Roosters recently agreed to release Suaalii from the final few weeks of his NRL deal, which expires on October 31, to allow the 21-year-old to join the Wallabies in camp ahead of their Spring Tour of the UK and Ireland next month. He is expected to join the Wallabies squad in Sydney on Monday.
The Roosters release was a gesture of good faith to Rugby Australia after they agreed to the early release of Mark Nawaqanitawase to the Tri-colours in August after he completed his Rugby Sevens duties at the Paris Olympics.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
