State of Origin: Former Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan tips Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to return to the NRL
The Blues’ decision to hand a NSW Origin jersey to rugby defector Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could prove to be a masterstroke in league’s attempt to lure the Roosters superstar back to the NRL, according to the man that poached him.
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The rugby supremo who poached Blues debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii from the NRL has made the bombshell claim that his Origin selection is a tactical masterstroke to deliver him back to rugby league.
Hamish McLennan was the Rugby Australia chairman who pulled off a stunning poaching raid by luring Roosters ace Suaalii to the 15-a-side code from next season on a $4.5 million deal.
Despite his impending defection for the following three years, the desperate Blues have selected Suaalii for next Wednesday’s Origin series-opener in Sydney as they attempt to snap Queensland’s two-year winning streak.
But as Suaalii prepares to make his Origin debut, McLennan believes NSW coach Michael Maguire’s decision not to blacklist the defector could be a seminal moment in luring him back to the NRL.
McLennan was dethroned as RA chairman in November and concedes Suaalii’s Blues blooding could be the strategic powerplay that convinces the 20-year-old to return to rugby league.
“I’m not at all surprised (NSW would pick him),” McLennan said.
“He’s such a world class talent and the NRL are taking the moral high ground by picking the best players for the NSW team.
“By not being punitive, they are putting themselves in a great position to get him back.
“The dingbats at the Queensland Rugby Union (who played a role in McLennan’s demise) will be watching Joseph through gritted teeth when he plays.”
By selecting Suaalii, Maguire has proven he will leave no stone unturned to snap Queensland’s recent Origin dominance under third-year coach Billy Slater.
There were calls for the Blues to ban Suaalii from the NRL’s most prestigious arena and Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said his selection proved how driven Maguire was to win.
“It is a hard one because we don’t have anyone in that situation when it comes to Queensland, but I can see the mentality,” he said.
“They are picking who they believe is the best squad.
“It probably shows how eager they are to win this series. They are ready to pick anyone.”
Roosters chairman Nick Politis remains hopeful Suaalii will return to Bondi and Queensland great Billy Moore says the Blues debutant will miss the NRL showpiece that is State of Origin after he debuts in front of 80,000 in Sydney.
“It’s a smart move by NSW to pick him because once he gets a taste of Origin, I think it will bring him back,” Moore said.
“If he was available for Queensland, he probably doesn’t make our team, but the Blues clearly think he can do the job.
“His feet are in the NRL in 2024 so I have no issue with him being picked.
“It’s a shame to lose Joseph to rugby but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck found the game boring and so will Suaalii.
“Joseph will get a nice little taste of Origin and how good it is. Rugby is a big sport globally but domestically it’s on the wane because it doesn’t entertain. Suaalii will touch the ball five times in union, in rugby league he touches it 20.
“I can understand why he is taking the money but eventually he will come back.
“He will get horrible ball at the Waratahs and the NRL salaries will only get bigger and that will entice Suaalii back.”
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Originally published as State of Origin: Former Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan tips Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to return to the NRL
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