Rugby AU CEO Rob Clark says reports that teen sensation Joseph Suallii has signed a multi-million dollar deal to play rugby are "fanciful"
Suaalii is considered one of the best schoolboys coming through and has been chased heavily by both rugby and rugby league in recent seasons.
The Kings College student played in the First XV at just 14 and the fullback trained with the NRL's South Sydney during the summer.
News Corp reported on Tuesday afternoon that Suaalii had turned his back on a long-term deal with South Sydney to ink an even more lucrative deal with Rugby Australia.
The South Sydney deal inked in June could not be registered until August 1 when Suaalii turns 17, opening the door for him to rethink his decision.
Rugby AU interim CEO Rob Clarke said no agreement had been struck with Suaalii, despite the game publicly declaring its interest in him.
“Joseph Suaalii is an upstanding young man and a talented rugby player, who has proven himself to be an exciting Rugby prospect for the future. We have made it no secret that we would like to keep Joseph within the Rugby pathway," he said.
“At this stage there has been no agreement between Joseph, his family or his representation. Rugby Australia continues to have an open and exciting conversation about his potential future in our game.
Clarke also described the report of a $3 million, three-year deal as "fanciful".
“Financial offers being speculated in the media presently are totally fanciful, and is being propagated by the usual suspects whose sole interest it is to inflate and misrepresent contract values.”
Suaalii met with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie at the start of the year and was impressed with what he saw.
"I met him [Suaalii] when I was here in January, impressive athlete and a very mature kid for 16," he said.
"As you get with guys like Joseph, they command a lot of attention and clearly Souths are very interested in him and have thrown some serious money in front him.
"So he's just an example of the type of kids that we want to keep in our game, but it's a competitive market and it's not easy."
If Suaalii were to sign in rugby, he would be eligible to play Super Rugby even at 17, if he could get a special dispensation from Rugby Australia.
