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‘Travelling the world’: Why NRL star Joseph Suaalii signed with Rugby Australia

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

NRL star Joseph Suaalii admits the opportunity to potentially play against the British and Irish Lions in 2025 played a key role in his sensational decision to swap codes.

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Following long-lasting rumours and speculation, Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs confirmed in March that they’d signed the Sydney Roosters flyer on a three-year deal.

Suaalii, who also represented Samoa at last year’s Rugby League World Cup, will remain with the Tricolours until the end of the 2024 season before switching codes in October.

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The teenager will ply his trade in rugby union until at least the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia – an event that Suaalii said “speaks for itself.”

For the first time since Rugby Australia confirmed the headline-grabbing deal, Suaalii has opened up about what motivated him to jump codes.

“I always loved both games. I always had visions when I was younger of playing in both codes. It was something I always visualised and saw in my life,” Suaalii told The Daily Telegraph.

“The Lions Tour was one of my first encounters with union. It has been something that has always been a goal.

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“A home World Cup – playing in Australia – I think it speaks for itself.

“Money has never been my main factor. Obviously it plays a part but the World Cup, Lions Tour, Bledisloe Cup – I have always seen that as a bigger factor. Travelling the world is another key factor as well.

“I have taken up my option. All my focus is on playing for the Roosters this year and next year. Everyone at the club knows I want to be here for the remainder of my contract.”

Suaalii starred at First XV level at Kings College in Sydney and was widely considered a generational talent. A teenage athlete had never been talked about as much in Australian sports.

After capturing the attention of both codes – with NRL super coach Wayne Bennett describing the pressure on the then 16-year-old as “unfair” – Suaalii eventually inked a deal with the Roosters.

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Still only 19, the electrifying utility back has gone on to impress – and was even called into New South Wales’ State of Origin squad after just 12 games at NRL level.

Despite all the pressure and hype that followed the teenager into professional sport, Suaalii has managed to leap over every hurdle with both grace and poise.

But rugby union was always in his sights.

“I was really clear with (Roosters coach Trent Robinson) Robbo throughout the process of signing my deal with union,” Suaalii added.

“We were clear and honest with everyone. I still look to Robbo for advice off the field and on the field.

“He still is and always will be a mentor. I feel like Robbo and I have a great connection. He is the sort of man I aspire to become one day.

“It was a hard decision for me to leave. I always chase my dreams and that has always been in my heart.

“It is going to be hard to leave the Roosters in a couple of years but my heart and my dreams always come first.”

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JW 1 hour ago
Where is the new breed of All Black 10?

These kids have been playing in leagues comparable to SR, not the NPC

The likes of games these guys get introduced to are closer to NPC than SR.


This is the team Sam played with in his first Leinster game;

Ed BYRNE

Tadgh MCELROY

Tom CLARKSON

Alex SOROKA

Brian DEENY

James CULHANE

Will CONNORSE

Max DEEGAN

Nick MCCARTHY

Sam PRENDERGAST

Dave KEARNEY

Ben BROWNLEE

Liam TURNER

Tommy O'BRIEN

Chris COSGRAVE

It’s too short, not as competitive and there are (usually) no test players in that comp.

You’re talking about something else altogether, sure, I’m not saying people around the world want to watch the NPC, but locally its just the same with a large amount of internationals playing, even All Blacks.

The evidence the NPC is not on par is in the U20 WC. SH sides haven’t won it since 2017

You obviously have had very little exposure to New Zealand rugby. The NPC is made up all the Super Rugby players, plus the club battlers trying to get a gig. Far above u20 rugby level.

Guys like Attisogbe, Gazzotti and Louis BB were in those sides. They were Top14 regulars at the time and are test players now.

What you need to understand is that NZ rugby is not like France, basically the complete opposite. AB jerseys are not just handed out like that and there is very little room for u20 as every player in these squads is battling for an AB jersey basically. Super Rugby only has 5 teams, not 14. Sure, you can argue more exposure is better, but season length is not going to do that, you just have to get onboard with how NZ does it. They are the best after all.

NZ used to chuck talented youngsters in at the deep end in SR. Carter, McCaw and quite a few others from the 2011 and 2015 WC winning teams were in SR at 20, 21 and ABs a year later.

You are definitely star struck. I like it, reminds me of playing Championship Manager. It’s no different now, heard of Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Noah Hotham? NZ was one of the youngest squads going around and a good number of 20/21 yo’s coming into SR each year.


You don’t want players under pressure at that age, hence what teams do in those comps I mentioned. NZ definitely takes that to a different level for 17/18 yo, and even younger, but when you hear what happens to them when you don’t, I think that’s the right path.

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