Peter V’landys hits back at Wallabies’ plan to lure Joseph Suaalii with $10m deal
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has fired a cheeky shot at Rugby Australia’s plan to try to lure Roosters star Joseph Suaalii to switch codes.
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ARL commission chairman Peter V’landys has launched a blistering attack on rugby union’s planned poaching raid on the NRL, warning Roosters star Joseph Suaalii against defecting to a “boring, slow and hard-to-watch game.”
V’landys even suggested Suaalii could take his mobile phone onto the field and “do some social media posting” while waiting to be passed the football playing rugby union.
His comments come after an exclusive Daily Telegraph report (see below) revealed Rugby Australia’s interest in seven rugby league stars, including Suaalii, ahead of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
RA have been told Suaalii could cost them $10m over five years to switch codes. An RA hit list also includes Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Matt Burton and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
“I don’t think Suaalii would go to rugby because he would be bored,” V’landys said.
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“At the moment in rugby union, the ball is in play for 33 minutes a game where in rugby league it’s in play for 55 minutes.
“Joseph better have something to do for those 22 minutes a game – maybe he should take his mobile phone out there to see what’s going on, maybe he could do some social media posting.
“I’m confident Joseph won’t go anywhere because he wants to play an exciting, fast and vibrant game, not a slow and hard-to-watch game where they only play 33 minutes. Joseph will be too fit for that.
“They will get a short-term sugar hit but long term, what’s it going to achieve? Nothing. Offering that kind of money to Suaalii, there is no long-term benefit.
“We will concentrate on participation and bringing hundreds of Suaalii’s through, rather than taking that sugar hit.
“I think they have to fix their game up first. And to be fair to RA, the game is governed by (the World Rugby) body in Ireland.”
Former Kangaroos prop Mark Carroll added: “Why would Suaalii want to cross to the dark side? I thought the referees in rugby league were bad …”
Suaalii, just 19, would want to play fullback in rugby union.
One of Australia’s greatest rugby union fullbacks, Glen Ella, outlined why Suaalii should consider quitting the NRL.
“The thing about rugby is that it’s a global game,” Ella said. “He will travel the world and that’s a big advantage you have over some of the other codes.
“I think the Wallabies have the basis of a very good team – they just need that X-factor that will give them that edge. Suaalii can run, he can tackle. He’s got every attribute to play either code for the next ten years. It’s no wonder they (RA) are after him.
“I have been watching him play for the Roosters. He’s a great footballer and he’s still only a kid. He could play any position, to be honest. But playing him at fullback, that would be a great spot for him in rugby.
“There aren’t too many players in rugby union nowadays with that x-factor that Suaalii has … to bring that excitement to the game. He will be in hot demand from both codes. He is a great athlete.”
Murray said on Tuesday he had little appetite to play rugby union, despite playing for Newington First XV at school.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Murray said. “I haven’t heard anything from them. I signed a deal here and I think I’ve got three years left, not including this year. I’m locked up here for that amount of time at least.”
Former Australian Rugby Union Schoolboys forward and ex-NFL star Colin Scott said: “Joseph would be worth every cent. Truly brilliant x-factor player and so needed. And a smart gentleman.”
Last year, former Wallabies champion Mat Rogers claimed RA should chase Trbojevic although the Manly fullback said he had no interest in playing rugby union.
The Wallabies‘ war chest would be contingent on private equity money coming into the game post the 2023 World Cup.
RA management is confident private equity firms will invest given Lions and World Cup - two massive sporting events – will be held within three years of each other.
Rugby’s NRL hit list: $10m bid for Suaalii revealed
-Dean Ritchie, Jamie Pandaram
Rugby Australia is building a powerful financial war chest in expectation of lodging a stunning $10m offer over five years for Sydney Roosters star Joseph Suaalii.
RA has drafted a hit list of champion NRL players for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and the 2027 World Cup which includes Suaalii, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Matt Burton and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
The Daily Telegraph has been told RA will prioritise NRL players who have previously played rugby union.
While several NRL players on the list would appear unattainable, an ambitious RA will aim high and chase with intent.
Suaalii, Trbojevic, Mitchell, Murray, Papenhuyzen, Burton and Asofa-Solomona are among the biggest stars in rugby league and all being discussed at RA headquarters.
Suaalii, 19, is rugby union’s number one target, although RA is aware the Roosters gun could cost them around $2m a year over five seasons.
It would be incredible money but RA is aware it requires a pin-up player for the two major events who is commercially marketable.
No NRL club could match an offer in that proximity – not even the highly successful Roosters.
While committed to the Roosters and excelling in the NRL, Suaalii harbours a desire to play fullback – a position filled at his club by James Tedesco.
Suaalii would be given the fullback position in rugby union.
He has a strong rugby union background which included representing King’s School first XV from age 14 and being chosen in the GPS 1st XV in 2018.
He also won selection in the NSW Schoolboys and Australian Schoolboys under 18s Rugby Sevens aged just 15 and is eligible to play for the Wallabies..
Asofa-Solomona grew up playing rugby union in New Zealand and considered code-switching last year amid question marks over his Covid vaccination status.
The Wallabies’ war chest is contingent on private equity money flowing through the game after the 2023 World Cup.
Rugby officials are confident that with Australia hosting the British and Irish Lions in 2025, followed by the World Cup in 2027 - two of the sport’s biggest events within three years of each other - private equity firms will invest.
The marketing boom that would be created by luring major NRL stars for those events would be similar to the hype created last time Australia hosted the World Cup in 2003, when rugby poached Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers.
Rugby has had its financial challenges in recent times, but after next year’s World Cup they will be well positioned to make a play for big names.
Contracts are usually structured around World Cup cycles, so the Wallabies will naturally lose players after that tournament, which will open the coffers.
But the key will be private backers throwing millions at RA.
In February, New Zealand Rugby signed a $186 million deal with American private equity firm Silver Lake.
While the All Blacks are a globally recognised brand, the Wallabies have less marketing clout.
But the hosting of the Lions and World Cup will have the eyes of the rugby world on Australia, piquing the interest of cashed up firms looking to invest in sport.
Rugby Australia will look to move to a central contracting system where their highest profile players will be employed directly by RA and only the mid to low tier players will be contracted to Super Rugby franchises.
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Originally published as Peter V’landys hits back at Wallabies’ plan to lure Joseph Suaalii with $10m deal
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