The recent news of a $1.6 million deal for teenage rugby player Joseph Suaalii has been met with a great deal of controversy. Suaalii, who is just 17 years old, has signed a three-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League (NRL). While the deal has been praised by some for its potential to help develop the game in Australia, others have expressed concern about the financial implications of such a large deal for a young player.
One of the most vocal critics of the deal has been former Wallabies coach Alan Jones. Jones has argued that the money could be better spent on developing the game in Australia, rather than on a single player. He has also argued that the money would not help Australia beat the All Blacks, the world’s top rugby team. Jones has called the deal “ridiculous” and “irresponsible”.
The NRL has defended the deal, arguing that it is in line with other deals for young players in the league. They have also argued that it will help to promote the game and attract more young players to the sport.
Despite the controversy, it appears that Suaalii’s deal is here to stay. The NRL has made it clear that they are committed to developing young talent and that they are willing to invest in players who have the potential to become stars. While there may be some debate over the size of the deal, it is clear that Suaalii is an exciting prospect and one that could help to shape the future of rugby in Australia.
Ultimately, only time will tell if Suaalii’s deal will be successful or not. However, it is clear that it has sparked a debate about how best to invest in young talent and how to develop the game in Australia. It is likely that this debate will continue for some time to come.
