Why Wallabies should pursue another League convert
Rugby Australia should chase Sydney Roosters flyer Joseph Suaalii if it will help them win a World Cup, current Wallaby Jed Holloway says.
Amid reports the 19-year-old sensation will field a monumental contract offer from RA with an eye to the home World Cup in 2027, flank Holloway said the Wallabies’ already strong backline depth could only be improved through the addition of Suaalii.
A Rugby Union junior who played at the prestigious King’s School and made the GPS 1st XV in 2018, the wing has immediately looked the part in his first National Rugby League season, not only consistently starting for the Roosters but scoring 16 tries in 23 matches.
“If it is going to make our team better, I think would be great,” Holloway told reporters on Tuesday.
“He’s quite a talented person, obviously he’s killing it in rugby league and he is quite young.
“We do have really good guys here in the team who you see – Marika [Koroibete] on the weekend, Tommy Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Jordie Petaia all coming through as well.
“We’ve got a huge amount of depth but if it’s going to make us be better and help win a World Cup, then why not?”
Media reports say Suaalii would be offered AU$10-million over five years to sign with RA, as the main attraction on a shortlist of NRL stars to be chased in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.
Australia has not won the tournament since 1999, and is among the lesser fancies for next year’s edition in France.
Asked what sales pitch he’d give to the teen if that wasn’t enough, Holloway encouraged Suaalii to consider the lifestyle the code-switch might allow.
“The beauty about rugby is you get to do what you love and travel the world,” he said.
“It’s genuinely the beauty of the game, you can go basically wherever in the world and take your pair of boots with you and play rugby.”
