Joseph Suaalii’s much-anticipated first match against former club South Sydney has been put on hold after the teenage star was a late scratching from Friday’s blockbuster opening of Allianz Stadium.
Suaalii picked up a shoulder injury in last week’s win over Melbourne and will be rested from the Roosters’ clash with the Rabbitohs. There is every likelihood the arch rivals could meet again in the opening round of the playoffs next week and the tricolours don’t want to risk one of their most precious assets.
It has already been a spirited build-up between the foundation clubs, which has included Roosters chairman Nick Politis dismissing Souths’ attempts to share the Allianz, declaring: “The Roosters are the only people that belong.”
Suaalii’s mooted involvement in the game has also been a huge talking point after the Souths junior controversially switched from the Rabbitohs to the Roosters in the lead-in to his NRL debut last season. However, the tricolours are mindful of playing the long game knowing the sides will likely line up against each other in the finals when the stakes are higher.
Suaalii’s withdrawal came on the same day South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou tested positive for COVID-19, meaning he will join hooker Damien Cook in isolation.
Rugby Australia has publicly stated its intention to headhunt Suaalii ahead of the home Rugby World Cup in 2027. The King’s School product made his name in the 15-man game, attracting the attention of talent scouts from both rugby codes.
Joseph Suaalii is a late scratching.Credit:NRL Photos
However, Roosters coach Trent Robinson hoped the 19-year-old will remain in league long beyond the expiration of his current contract at the end of next year.
“There’s no crystal ball from me,” Robinson said.
“I know he loves the place, we love him and we want him here for the long term. I think he will become the great player and star he will become in these colours. He wants to be hard, exciting and motivate kids – and he wants to be humble and a good man. I feel like we can offer all those things. It will be his choice in the end, but I know this is a place that can offer it.”
The NRL bent the rules to allow Suaalii to play first-grade before the requisite age of 18 and now he is poised to get a Kangaroos call-up for the Rugby League World Cup. Robinson said he was particularly impressed with Suaalii’s defence and desire to take tough carries.
“You know when someone’s really, really good,” Robinson said.
“There’s always one of the major steps between potential and action and achievement at the NRL level, then comes the rep games. It’s rare to see someone not only go out and play – some guys can have purple patches – but his isn’t a purple patch, because his are based on the hardest parts of the game.
“Most of the guys, they may play good and score some tries and people get excited. But then they’ve got to learn to harden up in some of those areas. He went straight to those areas. He said, ‘I’m going to play them and focus on them and then some of the more flashy areas will come later on’. That’s exactly what happened. He reversed the order in the way a lot of players go about it.”
Asked whether he was worried about praise going to Suaalii’s head, the premiership-winning coach said: “Often you want to hold a carrot there and make sure you don’t give too much praise because they may not live up to it, but I’ve seen the guy work enough [to know] even what I say won’t affect him. It’s also about setting an intention out there about, ‘this is your path and what you should achieve’.”
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