A secret contract clause could see the Wallabies POACH Joseph Suaalii from the NRL

A secret contract clause could see the Wallabies POACH Joseph Suaalii from the NRL and Sydney Roosters to play in Rugby World Cup on Australian soil

  •  Suaalii was heavily targeted by Rugby Australia two years ago when he was 17
  • With a World Cup on Aussie soil looming, a fresh poaching raid is set to kick off
  • A number of NRL players including Suaalii and Matt Burton will be targeted
  • A get-out clause in Suaalii’s contract could mean Rugby Australia is successful 

Rugby Australia has tried to lure teenage superstar Joseph Suaalii before, but a new warchest and a get-out clause in his NRL contract could make the Sydney Roosters winger a Wallaby in the near future.

While Rugby Australia is firmly concentrating on the 2023 World Cup to be held in France, there is also one eye on preparing for the 2027 World Cup that will be held on Australian soil.

Sualli has shown plenty of positive development in the NRL and was picked in Brad Fittler’s New South Wales Blues squad in just his second year in first grade

 Suaalii was in demand two years ago, with Rugby Australia along with NRL clubs Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs duking it out for his services.

The tale of tape shows that the Roosters would win the tug-of-war for Suaalii, but Rugby Australia was in a financial black hole at the time that was not helped by Covid.

This time around, Rugby Australia has greater finances to dip into and the dangling carrot of a home World Cup – that lured the likes of Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuquiri away from the NRL the last time Australia hosted a World Cup in 2003.

Before playing league, Suaalii was a rising rugby star in high school that was in heavy demand

Before playing league, Suaalii was a rising rugby star in high school that was in heavy demand

Making this push from Rugby Australia even more interesting is the fact that Suallii reportedly has a get-out clause in his Roosters contract that would enable him to switch codes.

Suaalii was a highly promising rugby schoolboys talent before he was signed by the Rabbitohs while he was still in high school and Rugby Australia heavyweights believe he would easily make the transition.

While Rugby Australia is planning a raid on the NRL ranks to secure a number of players – including targeting Bulldogs and NSW centre Matt Burton – Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan said Suaalii was their No.1 target. 

‘We were sad to lose Joseph to league, but there’s an incredible pathway through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, if he and others want it,’ McLennan said.

‘We have to do the private equity deal, get some money in the bank, but yes, we absolutely will be targeting league stars.’

Whether Rugby Australia is successful in landing their man will come down to Sualli himself.

The 19-year-old wants to play fullback but is stuck behind the Australian incumbent James Tedesco and Kiwi superstar Joey Manu. However he remains loyal to the Chooks and might prove hard to dislodge.   

Former NRL players Lote Tuquiri and Wendell Sailor jumped codes for the chance to play at a Rugby World Cup on Australian soil

Former NRL players Lote Tuquiri and Wendell Sailor jumped codes for the chance to play at a Rugby World Cup on Australian soil

‘I’m happy to do whatever for the team, be it on the wing, centre, fullback, even five-eighth – I’ll play anywhere,’ Suaalii said a week ago.

‘I’m behind two of the best fullbacks in the game with Tedesco and Joey, so it will be hard to play fullback.’

But asked about the prospect of swapping clubs to play fullback, Suaalii replied: ‘I love it here, and if I could I’d be here forever – I love this club.’

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