Sydney Roosters powerbrokers have made inquiries about whether Rugby Australia can take Joseph Suaalii early in a move described as a “wake-up call” for the out-of-form teen.
Suaalii stunned the Roosters and NRL in late March when he announced he would be switching codes at the end of next season.
The three-year deal, which would feature a British and Irish Lions tour in 2025 and the 2027 World Cup, is reportedly worth a staggering $1.6 million a season.
The Roosters have struggled with their attack for most of the season, and Suaalii has been well down on form.
And now the Bondi club are aware they will save about $700,000 next year if they move Suaalii on.
Early mark? Joseph SuaaliiCredit: Getty Images
Phil Gould, one of the first people to urge the Roosters and Suaalii to go their separate ways as soon as the rugby deal was confirmed, said of the latest development on 100% Footy on Monday night: “The reason I made my [original] comments was as a code we didn’t need to be giving them a free kick – he made his decision to go to rugby, so go to rugby.
“It’s not anything against him as a player or person, the Roosters jumped up and down about it, [but] I don’t care.
“I would say this is a bit of a wake-up call for him – if this has leaked to the media to be reported, it’s because they want him to be aware of it.”
Roosters supremo Nick Politis was devastated by the news of Suaalii’s defection at the time and has since cut all ties with Suaalii’s agent Isaac Moses.
Any release would need to be brokered between Moses and Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Robinson has given no indication he wants Suaalii to leave and, if anything, is determined to keep working hard with him to turn him into a top-class centre.
Politis told News Corp papers late on Monday: “We have no plans to release him at this stage. The final say on recruitment is always with ‘Robbo’ [Robinson] anyway.”
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan was in Dubai on Monday night when Nine News broke the Suaalii news, and planned to gather all the facts before he flew back to Sydney.
He told Nine’s Danny Weidler in March: “We’d take him straight away. We made a good profit this year.
“We’ll make $100m out of the Lions [tour], and another $100m out of the World Cup. Everything is heading in the right direction.
“So we could afford to take him now – we’d be delighted to take him earlier if league didn’t want him.”
Roosters teammates spoke glowingly about Suaalii on the weekend, with prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves declaring: “There is no ceiling. This kid is an absolute talent, an absolute freak, I’ve never seen a kid with his capabilities but have a head that is so switched on and so focused on what he will do. It’s such a blessing to be here and I’m excited for him and his future. He’ll be back. I’m excited for him to go on his little journey … he’s an impressive young man.
“I’d love to see him come back. But I’m excited for him as well. I know he will do well.”
Skipper James Tedesco told this masthead Suaalii had put more of a focus on his defensive game, which had taken time in a new position.
Suaalii is yet to speak publicly about his Wallabies move, with club officials indicating he would finally break his silence next week.
