Sua’ali’i Signs
Rugby Australia fight back
F. A. Loxton
IN HEADLINES OVER LAST WEEKEND, JOSEPH SUA’ALI’I HAS SIGNED A LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH RUGBY AUSTRALIA and the NSW Waratahs kicking off in 2025. The deal will see rugby’s most sought after young talent earn 1.6 Million dollars each season, a figure which the roosters couldn’t come close to matching much to the clubs frustration. But how did the young-star come to develop such talent and what does his future look like in Union?
Born in Sydney in 2003, Sua’ali’i grew up amongst a range of sports – basketball, AFL, athletics but most notably rugby. He made his first mark on the rugby league scene as a teenager, in 2020 debuting for Souths’ Sg ball side as the youngest player to do so in over a century. From there, he was signed from the cross town rivals – the Roosters, and has developed in their system to be an established winger and center, with James Tedeseco still holding the fullback jersey.
However, as much as NRL clubs have shaped him into a talent for the ages in League, Sua’ali’i’s true passion has always been with rugby union. Dominating other schools A-teams at The Kings School, and debuting for the 1st XV in year 9, Joseph went on to represent the Australian Schoolboys team in both 2019 and 2020. This saw him catch the attention of rugby union clubs around Australia, with many of them expressing interest, However with their failing to offer a mere two hundred thousand dollars a year a few years ago, his worth was now pitched at well over seven figures.
After much speculation about his future, in the last week it was revealed Sua’ali’i inked a deal with Rugby Australian and the NSW Waratahs, with the signing of his name a bid for much of the previous fanbase to return to the form. Most notably, it is widely believed that Sua’li’i’s decision was influenced by the opportunity to work with new Wallaby head coach Eddie Jones, and he is expected to be selected in the Wallabies squad from 2025.
After being hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, the wide spread Super Rugby competition has faced many travel and restriction difficulties, and this latest signing should generate interest and excitement for fans, among other schoolboy talents which the Waratahs will look to develop into established players. One such is Max Jorgenson, graduating St Joseph’s College just last year, and has sparked much excitement in Waratahs fixtures with electrifying speed and agility. The two should pair well come 2025, with both players tallying much more experience at the highest level in the next two seasons.
Whilst an even greater weight will be placed on Sua’ali’i’s shoulders with the record-breaking contract, he has proven to swell under pressure and has already shown exceptional talent in rugby union. Without a doubt however, it will be interesting to see how he develops and transitions in the coming years, and to see if his mark can be made in both codes of the game.
Although he will stay at the Roosters for the duration of the Rugby World Cup later this year, he will join the Waratahs and most importantly the Wallabies in a pivotal time, with the British and Irish Lions touring in 2025, and the next Rugby World Cup in 2027. With NRL CEO Andrew Abdo saying “good luck to any player who wants to go and play another code, that’s great for them,” it’s clear the NRL were unwilling to match the offer, and trust the talent which remains. But for the good of Rugby Australia, it’s clear the deal that was made was an important one, and the signing will certainly draw eyes back to Rugby Union and the Wallabies in particular.