Joseph Suaalii’s Origin future is clouded amid his switch to rugby union in 2025, but Brad Fittler may have no choice but to pick him as he fights for his future as Blues coach.
Suaalii has committed to the Wallabies in 2025 through until the 2027 World Cup on a mega deal worth $1.6 million a season, but he is still eligible to potentially debut for the Blues in the next two Origin series.
Phil Rothfield believes Suaalii is only the seventh best fullback in the NRL and warned he may not force his way into the Blues backline if everyone is fit.
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“I’ve already explained he’s the number seven fullback,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.
“In the centres for Origin he’s got Latrell, Turbo, Wighton, Staggs, Campbell Graham ahead of him. He’s not going to play centres.
“On the wing you’ve got Addo-Carr who surely they’ll pick, Brian To’o and (so on).”
However, The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read believes Fittler can’t afford to pick and choose and play favourites with his future as Blues coach on the line after two series losses in the last three years.
“Freddy can’t afford to rule anyone out, right? Because Freddy’s coaching for his job,” Read said.
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“If he wins this series he gets an automatic trigger (on) his extension. After last year’s series and three of the last four series, Freddy’s got to get it right.”
Fittler said on Channel 9s Sunday Footy Show that Suaalii would be considered for selection like every other eligible player if fit come Origin time.
“We pick the team in eight weeks. If he’s available in eight weeks time, he’ll be considered,” Fittler said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
Paul Kent believes the days of black-listing players for selection are over and if Suaalii warrants selection he should be considered.
“We’ve moved on from the stage where you unofficially black ban players for making those decisions,” Kent said.
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“There was a time when that happened. Famously, years ago, players were officially barred from those things and banned from coming back and all the rest of it. Both codes are professional sports these days.
“I just think the days of saying: ‘You’ve gone there, we’re not going to pick you’ (are over). If Freddy wants to say that, that’s fine.”
Rothfield warned it would be a mistake to pick Suaalii as a development player again given he will be playing the 15-man code in less than two years.
“You wouldn’t pick him, in my view, as a development player,” Rothfield said.
“You’re developing him for rugby union!”
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“By the time he’ll be developed he’ll be playing rugby union,” Kent added.
However, Braith Anasta believes Suaalii should be picked if his form warrants it, but questioned whether he was good enough to crack the NSW star-studded backline.
“If he’s good enough, he deserves to be picked. Simple as that,” Anasta said.
“If he’s playing well enough. I just doubt that’s going to be the case with the depth they’ve got in those positions.”
