The worst kept secret is finally confirmed: Joseph Suaalii is heading to Rugby Union.
Suaalii’s fate was sealed when his NRL club Sydney Roosters announced he would leave at the end of his contract after recently signing a one-year extension until 2024.
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Minutes later, RA released a statement confirming the talented teenager will head to the 15-a-side code following next year’s NRL season.
The deal will potentially see Suaalii link up with the Wallabies for the Spring Tour, likely in similar vain to Suliasi Vunivalu in 2020.
It puts the outside back in contention for the 2025 Lions Tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Suaalii has history in Rugby Union, helping the Australian Schoolboys to victory over the NZ Schoolboys in 2019, the first time they had won in New Zealand since 2012.
Roosters teammate Luke Keary reflected on the move as it was being speculated, having also played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2010 during his time with Oakhill College
“We know this is happening and good on him. He’s obviously a rugby boy,” he said on Triple M
“…I think he goes over as a centre. I think you’ll see Israel Folau with him. He’s nearly the same player as Izzy. Big, strong ball runner, doesn’t play with the ball too much.”
Stan Sport commentator and former Wallaby Morgan Turinui understands the value of cross-code stars, having seen the impact of Lote Tuqiri, Matt Rogers and Wendell Sailor on the game at the start of the 21st century.
He believes Suaalii will be worth the hype ahead of a crucial period for Rugby Union.
“He’d be on good money but I think he’ll be worth it," he said ahead of Reds-Rebels.
“He’s played at the Kings School going through, love to play fullback and winger. He’s a great kid and they have done their due diligence and getting a great human being as well across to Rugby.
“I can’t wait to see him. He’ll come in and probably go on a Wallabies tour if they can make that happen and ripe for the British and Irish Lions and the home World Cup."
"He's an excitement machine in the last couple of years, what we've seen him do within the NRL but certainly coming through the pathways of rugby, great buy and very exciting times for rugby union," fellow commentator and international Allana Ferguson said.
