Suaalii tug-of-war over with South Sydney set to release star teen
The Joseph Suaalii saga is finally poised to come to an end with South Sydney expected to release the talented teen.
An official announcement may yet be some days away, but the club is keen to bring the drawn-out saga to a close. The Herald has been told that a compensation fee from the Roosters will be the circuit-breaker that breaks the impasse.
Joseph Suaalii is said to be keen to escape the hype he has attracted since signing with Souths.
The Rabbitohs have been playing hardball since Suaalii began agitating for a release from the final year of his contract to join the Roosters. They had sought Daniel Tupou via a player swap, a proposal the Tricolours rejected. Instead, a transfer/development fee will be paid to make the switch possible.
Suaalii was facing the prospect of sitting out two entire seasons. The King’s School student is on a $60,000 contract with Souths for next year, one he does not want to fulfil. The Rabbitohs were prepared to let him sit out next season and write off the money just to spite their arch rivals.
The Rabbitohs had rejected the initial $50,000 compensation payment proposed by the Roosters, but the Herald has been told the Bondi Junction outfit will increase that offer.
Suaalii sat out the entire GPS rugby season in 2020 and was planning to do likewise next year, despite enjoying a boarding scholarship worth more than $65,000. His last game of football was for the Australian under-18s schoolboys rugby side, which toured New Zealand last October.
Suaalii’s Roosters deal is believed to be worth just a fraction of the initial deal offered by the Rabbitohs. However, he is keen for a change of scene away from the hype that followed him at Redfern.
Although he is yet to turn 18, the NRL has indicated they may be prepared to allow him to play before he reaches the requisite playing age.
Sport newsletter
Sports news, results and expert commentary delivered straight to your inbox each weekday. Sign up here.
Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.