Joseph Suaalii: Sydney Roosters young gun quiet on South Sydney exit

Joseph Suaalii spoke with raw honesty when explaining how the kids at school have reacted to his meteoric rise. ‘You can see they gravitate and look towards me, so I lead by example.’

Who knows what secret Joseph Suaalii is keeping from everyone outside the Sydney Roosters, including the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

But just three minutes into Suaalii’s very first print media interview his ‘welcome to first grade’ moment unexpectedly arrived.

Really, it was all so innocent we almost feel guilty bringing it up.

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But it was just a simple question from News Corp about why the most hyped teenager to emerge in rugby league since Sonny Bill Williams decided to choose the Roosters over their arch rivals, which may have unintentionally lit the fuse for the next chapter in Russell Crowe’s Book of Feuds.

“Well, like, do I have to speak about that?” a stunned Suaalii asked Roosters’ media manager Alex Phillips who was standing nearby and watching on.

And after being told it was entirely up to him, the 17-year-old politely declined.

It was only a minor interruption to what was an otherwise comfortable and enjoyable chat.

Joseph Suaalii impressed in a NSW Cup trial match over the weekend.

But more than what was not said, just his surprised reaction went to the heart of the pressure this young man must be privately dealing with as he chases a not so small dream of busting into the NRL before his 18th birthday.

Of course, South Sydney’s version of the story goes along the lines that Suaalii’s handlers were attempting to negotiate a $1 million price tag for the fifth and final year of a five-year contract extension before talks broke down when it all become “too complicated”.

Whatever the reality we will probably never really know the full details.

But from the Roosters perspective those giant Suaalii footprints could well end up haunting the Rabbitohs for years to come, which would make whatever the Roosters paid money well spent.

Because like Matty Johns said on Monday, Suaalii’s emergence definitely brings back memories of another hyped youngster who went on to have a celebrated career.

“All the reports around are very, very similar to just before Sonny Bill Williams made his debut that night against Parramatta,” Johns told SEN Radio.

“And everyone was waiting to watch Sonny Bill to see if he would live up to the hype and first two touches I think he scores one and sets one up. And so Suaalii has got that feel about him.”

Joseph Suaalii celebrates after scoring a try for the Bears. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Indeed, just two days after Suaalii announced his arrival as a senior footballer when scoring two tries for the North Sydney Bears in Saturday’s NSW Cup trial in Canberra, Suaalii had reporters from almost every media outlet in Sydney eating out of his hands as they lined up for a speed-dating type introduction outside the Roosters’ Moore Park offices.

And Suaalii openly declared “I feel as though I’m ready” for first grade as he also explained how he juggles his Higher School Certificate studies at the prestigious King’s School.

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The Roosters are currently negotiating with the NRL to see if Suaalii will be granted an exemption so he can commence his first grade career before his 18th birthday on August 1.

But Suaalii spoke with confidence: “I have a lot to prove on the footy side and learning outside of footy. But I feel as though I am ready. But it is in their hands, so I don’t have much control over it.”

And when asked if he was bothered by the spotlight and pressure he is under, he responded almost innocently: “Not really. I am aware it is there but I’m not really … you know what I mean, I am not really into it. I just try and be a kid and play footy.”

Joseph Suaalii is balancing footy with school commitments.

But this big kid also then explained how his heroes growing up were Billy Slater, Jarryd Hayne, Joey Manu and Israel Folau.

And he spoke with raw honesty when explaining how the kids at school have reacted to his meteoric rise: “You can see that they kind of gravitate and look towards me, so I always try and lead by example.

“I always try to be good to younger kids because I remember being a kid when I was in Year 7 looking up to the boys, like older in Year 12, playing footy, I looked up to them as well, so you kind of have to put yourself into their shoes.”

As for his classroom studies, Suaalii explained how he now spends on average just two days a week in the classroom while the rest of his week is preparing for football: “I have a good support network around me with family and the people at school.

“Every day I have an off day (at training) I am at school.”

He also has ambitions to further his education after school but hasn’t decided what career he wants to pursue.

“I am trying to obviously concentrate on footy but also after footy as well, whether it is doing uni or part time uni,” he said.

“At the moment I am talking to the school about what I want to do after footy.”

And the advice he has received from coach Trent Robinson about when the Roosters plan to give him his debut?

“We haven’t really spoken about what is going to happen,” Suaalii said.

“It is more just like day to day, just with training, just little tips to help my game.

“It was good just to get out there and play (last weekend), because I hadn’t played in a long time, since 2019. That was the last time I played, so it was just good to get out there and get a feel for it.”

NRL poised for huge call on Suaalii

By Dean Ritchie

Start preparing yourself, Joseph.

The ARL Commission is poised to approve an exemption allowing rising sensation Joseph Suaalii to make his NRL debut this season as a 17-year-old.

The Daily Telegraph has been told the Sydney Roosters’ submission to the NRL asking that Suaalii be permitted to play NRL before he turns 18 was “compelling” and a decision could be reached before round one.

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NRL rules state all players must be 18 years old to play first grade unless the players’ club seeks an exemption from the NRL. Suaalii doesn’t turn 18 until August.

The ARLC is yet to reach a final decision on Suaalii with some details to be finalised but approval now seems highly likely.

Commissioners asked the Roosters to supply information and data proving Suaalii was physically and emotionally mature enough to play NRL while also asking he be allowed sufficient time to compete his year 12 studies around football commitments.

NRL management is still working with the Roosters over the exemption proposal but are yet to find any areas of concern.

The NRL is aware of the hype, headlines and pressure of playing first grade, particularly for a 17-year-old studying his HSC.

Suaalii scored two tries for the Roosters’ feeder club, North Sydney, against Canberra in a trial on Saturday afternoon at Seiffert Oval.

The gifted rookie clearly demonstrated he was physically ready for the considerable step-up from schoolboy football to NRL.

The NRL also want to ensure Suaalii is ready emotionally and that he’s surrounded by a solid support network at home and work.

Roosters insiders are adamant Suaalii is mature for his age and will have a football roster allowing him to manage his studies.

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The NRL may reveal their decision before round one but it could also be a touch later.

Even if approved, Suaalii is unlikely to be named in the Roosters’ round one squad to play Manly on March 13. He is expected to start the season in NSW Cup.

If eligible, there is no doubt Suaalii will be used in the top grade by head coach Trent Robinson throughout the season.

Joseph Suaalii is expected to be handed an exemption.

The NRL will not alter the game’s eligible age with exemptions needed for any club wanting to blood a 17-year-old.

Commissioners were impressed at how Suaalii handled himself during his big league debut for the Bears on Saturday.

“He is living his life, living his dream. He is doing good. I wasn’t nervous. I have a lot of confidence,” said Suaalii’s uncle Amani.

“The sky is the limit. Only he can tell you (where it will go). Since he could walk he was playing football. He is living his dream. He has a good mind on him.”

Suaalii came from the field early on Saturday with severe cramps.

Originally published as Joseph Suaalii: Sydney Roosters young gun quiet on South Sydney exit