A messy fight for the signature of teen footy freak Joseph Suaalii is finally over as the path cleared for his dramatic defection to the Roosters.
It’s official — Joseph Suaalii is a Rooster.
South Sydney released a blunt one sentence, 29-word statement today confirming it has released the teenage freak from the final year of his contract “following the payment of a non-disclosed transfer fee by another NRL club”.
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It meant the road was clear for Suaalii to join the Roosters, who released a statement of their own on Tuesday afternoon confirming he had inked a two-year deal with the Bunnies’ arch rivals.
“Joseph is a highly-talented young player, and we’re thrilled to have secured his services,” Roosters recruitment manager Daniel Anderson said.
“This is a terrific opportunity for Joseph to continue his development alongside the established players we have at the club like James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Joseph Manu, and we’re looking forward to watching his progress over the next few years.”
Suaalii was at the centre of an ugly tug of war between rugby league and rugby union before the 13-man code won out. Having played juniors with Souths, the 17-year-old trained with the first-grade team last pre-season as they mapped out a plan that would eventually see him make his NRL debut in the cardinal and myrtle.
However, despite expecting to lock him up on a long-term deal when he turned 17 earlier this year, the Bunnies and their young gun couldn’t come to an agreement, opening the door for rivals to poach him.
Souths were reportedly not prepared to offer Suaalii a contract that included his “staggering” request for get-out clauses at the end of every season, which is what led to the breakdown of negotiations.
This allowed the Roosters to swoop and the teenager has joined the tri-colours as some members of the squad return for pre-season training. The Daily Telegraph reports the “transfer fee” Souths have received from the Roosters is $50,000.
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Under current NRL rules, players must be 18 before they can play first grade but such is the hype around Suaalii, the Roosters have reportedly been making inquiries as to whether they can blood him as a 17-year-old.
Earlier in the year, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys hinted he would do whatever was necessary to keep Suaalii from playing rugby union, including looking at bending the age eligibility rules.
“We will look at anything that is of the benefit of the game,” V’landys said. “That is what the commission is there for — to look at the benefit of the game, the promotion of the game and the outcomes of the game.
“We should look at every case on its merits. We should not have blanket rules that stop you from doing things that are for the benefit of the game.”
Suaalii plays primarily as a fullback, but there’s no way he will unseat the world’s best No. 1 James Tedesco at the Roosters. The teen sensation will have a fight on his hands to earn a spot in the outside backs, with gun wingers Daniel Tupou and Brett Morris already in place and Josh Morris, Joey Manu and Billy Smith providing quality options in the centres.
