The fuse has been lit for this week’s Roosters-Rabbitohs return bout with the man who helped shape Joseph Suaalii’s career saying that unless James Tedesco leaves the Roosters, the Bondi club will lose Suaalii.
There has been heightened interest in Suaalii and his future since he officially engaged controversial agent Isaac Moses, with big money being thrown at the 19-year-old. Now the man known in the NRL world as “the art dealer”, Steve Nasteski, has entered the Suaalii debate.
Nasteski brought Suaalii to Souths as a 12-year-old and advised him and his family through much of his early career. He predicted a huge future for him, and he has been spot-on.
“I admire everything that James Tedesco has done and is doing – this is not a knock on Teddy at all – but I think he has to leave the Roosters next year or Joseph will be gone,” Nasteski said.
“Tedesco is a once-in-a-generation player, but Joseph is once in a lifetime. He is going to be the Michael Jordan of the NRL.
“No player, not Greg Inglis, not Izzy Folau, no one has had the impact of Joey in his first 18 games – and he is a fullback and he wants to be a fullback.
Joseph Suaalii, James Tedesco and Joseph Manu.Credit:NRL Photos
“I told him when he went to the Roosters his pathway would be blocked. Teddy is the first choice, and maybe Manu is the second. Joseph will be better than both of those guys. Manu can play anywhere, but as good as Teddy is I think it’s fullback or nothing. So I think the Roosters will need to move Teddy on next year. The price if they don’t will be Joey. He is a fullback and a superstar.”
The Roosters are doing everything they can to keep Suaalii, including being supportive of his parents’ charity, Reach Out NSW. Members of the board, including chairman Nick Politis, ventured to Penrith to visit the operation as a sign of their support for the family. And on Thursday, coach Trent Robinson gave the most glowing appraisal I can remember of a young player, describing Suaalii as “rare”, predicting greatness for the young man who he clearly thinks is a superstar in the making.
The Roosters would never let Tedesco go, but the task of keeping Suaalii is significant and one that will put pressure on the club.
Des Hasler.Credit:Getty Images
Des-peration at Manly
Manly are playing a dangerous game with Des Hasler, and if it goes wrong it could lead to him walking away from the club.
Every aspect of Hasler’s Manly set-up is about to be scrutinised and it’s clear the pressure being put on the coach is not sitting well with the players or those under the pump.
Hasler’s staff are about to be placed under real pressure and that uncertainty, coupled with that in the playing group, could be enough to push the coach – who has been at loggerheads with club management following the “pride” jersey saga – out the door.
Hasler’s agent, George Mimis, has tried for the best part of a year to restructure Hasler’s contract to remove performance clauses and to provide stability to the club, but the Sea Eagles won’t budge. That’s a sign management want more power. Hasler is a loyal man, but the club is aware what impact a review – or worse – of his people could have. Hasler is a quirky coach, for sure, but loyalty is really important to him, and he backs his people.
Hasler won’t take kindly to being told who he will be working with and may just decide that kind of interference is not worth it. He is certainly not as popular with management as he was. Officials did not like the way he handled the rainbow jersey press conference where he blamed them for many of the mistakes that were made. Some have not forgiven him for his exit in 2011 to join the Bulldogs.
There is talk at Manly of Stephen Hales being a prospective top-grade coach. It seems unlikely, but he was a favourite of the late Bob Fulton and you can never rule anything out in this game.
Hasler is the only person working 100 hours a week for the club and, in many ways, is the man holding the Sea Eagles together. With millions of dollars of their salary cap out injured – Tom Trbojevic in particular – this seems a strange time to sit in judgment. The club should be looking at the lack of leadership, accountability, revolving door executive team and low football IQ on the board.
Eddie backs raids
Rugby Australia has found an unusual ally in its push to sign league players: England coach Eddie Jones. A mad league man, Jones has backed the NRL raids.
“I like the play,” he said. “Disruption can start a movement. I really believe you have to have a go.”
Jones described RA’s main target, Joseph Suaalii, as a “handy player” and named the three players in the NRL who could best handle the 15-man code as Joey Manu, Dylan Brown and Cameron Murray.
Swapping ideas?
It almost escaped notice, but two big figures in rugby league, Phil Gould and Tim Sheens, caught up for a three-hour meeting a week ago.
Neither man will say what they talked about, but you’d have to think some player swapping may have been on the agenda.
The Bulldogs have made it clear they are in the market for a halfback – they met with Ben Hunt and they are monitoring Jayden Sullivan. Luke Brooks and his $1.1million-a-season salary would be on the Tigers’ list of things to address, but Sheens is determined to stick with him. The other halves, Jackson Hastings and Adam Doueihi, have been talked about as potential players on the move.
Benji gets his man
We told you a few weeks back that Benji Marshall had decided to make his mark on the Tigers’ high-performance unit with most of the current set-up being told to look elsewhere. Now there is further evidence of his influence: he has appointed the man he used as a physio for much of his career as the head of high performance.
Back together … Benji Marshall and Tim Sheens at Tigers training in 2012Credit:NRL Imagery
Peter Moussa is considered one of the best in his field. He’s so good that players from rival teams, such as Mitchell Moses and Nathan Brown, will use his services. Benji is really getting the gang back together.
What is still hard to fathom is why the dream team of Tim Sheens and Marshall has not been front and centre as the Tigers lurch from one issue to the next.
Kev still a gamble
Tyson Gamble’s comments on a podcast about Kevin Walters were simply expressing a view that others at the Broncos have held privately for some time.
Speaking on the Marshie’s Corner podcast, Gamble claimed halfback Adam Reynolds was the “mastermind” of Brisbane’s attack.
“Kev’s the coach, but Reyno [Reynolds] is the go-to man for everybody,” Gamble said. “If you’ve got a question about the team or footy, you go to him. Kevvie really understands footy and he’s a good bloke in getting the team up and about, but the modern day is so different to the way Kevvie played footy. There are some similarities with how you have to be with attitude and stuff, but Reyno is the mastermind around our attack at the moment.”
For whatever reason, Walters – one of the game’s good blokes – has his share of critics who are only too happy to take any opportunity to criticise him.
The truth is the jury is still out on whether he has what it takes to be an NRL coach. And his flimsy contract situation – where he doesn’t have a long-term deal – reflects the doubt the players and administrators have in him.
Klem on shopping list
David Klemmer is still being shopped to rival clubs – despite public assurances from everyone at Newcastle that he will be staying put. He is being quietly offered to other NRL clubs.
Klemmer was involved in an incident, where the big prop refused to leave the field and launched an expletive-laden tirade, at trainer Hayden Knowles, who has now left the Knights. Klemmer is on a hefty salary and is seen as someone who could be moved on.
Thorpie on Rabs
Last week’s mention of a Ray Warren special has league fans excited. A big interview was conducted with Ian Thorpe during the week to cover Warren’s swimming commentary. It was a huge part of his career which made him a national figure.
Where Eagles dare
The behaviour of the “Manly seven” – the players who refused to wear the Sea Eagles’ rainbow jersey to celebrate diversity – is being closely monitored by the public. They are watching every step they take and we have had reports about the company some of them are keeping and the establishments they are visiting. No one has done anything illegal, but the moral police would have a field day if a photo emerges of whom they have been seen with.
The Api coach
Api Koroisau is catching the attention of rival NRL players who are doing a coaching course to prepare for life after football.
“Api is very good,” said Nicho Hynes, who is on the course with the likes of Benji Marshall, Cody Walker, Wade Graham and Matt Moylan.
“I told Fitzy [Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon] from day one I want to coach. He keeps asking me if I really want to do it when he has some tough days, but I know I do.”
