'Not what I want for my 16-year-old': Bennett slams Suaalii tug-o-war
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has slammed the recent publicity around teenager Joseph Suaalii, arguing that the attention will likely affect the 16-year-old's future career.
Suaalii is set to sign a $3 million dollar offer with Rugby Australia in the coming days, despite being originally poised to sign a $1.7 million extension with the Rabbitohs upon turning 17 on August 1.
If he accepts the rugby deal, it will mark one of the biggest contracts in history for a teenager in the code.
The price has attracted a number of headlines over recent days, with Bennett concerned the hype could hinder his potential.
"The publicity he has got in the last three or four days is not what I want for my 16-year-old," he said. "We still don't know how good he is going to be and all of a sudden he has this huge burden of expectation placed upon him.
"It's just not healthy for anyone that's in that situation."
Bennett said he had not spoken to the youngster in recent days but was likely to reach out once the contract situation was sorted.
"It is just totally unfair the amount of scrutiny that is put on them, it's life-changing for them," Bennett said. "They're not old enough and geared enough to handle it, that's the part that disappoints me with it.
"The rest of it makes his football career more difficult."
Bennett said he had not spoken to the youngster in recent days but was likely to reach out once the contract was sorted. Credit:Getty Images
Some league commentators have slammed the young gun for the 'backflip' on the original Rabbitohs deal. Blues coach Brad Fittler said on the Freddy and the Eighth podcast that regardless of the huge deal on offer from Rugby Australia, it was a poor look to renege on the Rabbitohs deal.
"If Souths have already signed him and he's gone and signed another contract, that says something about the advice he's getting or the decision he's making. I don't think that shows great character," he said.
The offer has raised the eyebrows of many within Rugby Australia, which has faced a number of redundancies due to the fallout from COVID-19.
Australia’s Super Rugby players have been forced to take a 30 per cent pay cut until the end of September, with no broadcast deal signed for next year.
“I’m quite surprised that rugby union would be spending that sort of money in the current financial climate," ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said on 2GB.
Earlier this week, Rabbitohs players said they wouldn't hold a grudge against Suaalii should he switch codes.
"Whatever's happening is up to him. I hope he makes the right decision by him and at the end of the day he's a freak," Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston said on Wednesday. "Whatever he chooses will be the right thing."
The postponement of the Olympics leaves a window for Suaalii to play sevens for Australia next year in Tokyo. As a 16-year-old, the year 11 student at The King's School would have been too young to play at this year's Games.
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