Mystery surrounds Joseph Suaalii’s future after Souths pull teenage star from SG Ball

Uncertainty surrounds the playing future of 16-year-old South Sydney sensation Joseph Suaalii after he was missing from the Rabbitohs SG Ball side on Saturday.

South Sydney's Joseph Suaalii for SG Ball

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Mystery surrounds the playing future of 16-year-old South Sydney sensation Joseph Suaalii after the Rabbitohs decided not to play him in SG Ball this weekend.

Suaalii was set to step up to the under-18s this season after starring in the Harold Matthews ranks in 2019, but he didn’t line up in the club’s opening game against Canterbury at Belmore Oval.

Instead, Souths officials at the ground told The Sunday Telegraph that they have been instructed not to comment about the teen star who scored 15 tries and made an astonishing 84 tackle-breaks in just nine under-16s games as captain.

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Joseph Suaalii is counted as one of the sport’s best prospects.

The Rabbitohs are giving Suaalii space to weigh up his future given rugby union are chasing his signature.

New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie met with the 96kg Glenmore Park outside back in Penrith recently.

Rugby Australia views him as a potential recruit for the next World Cup in 2023.

Suaalii attends King’s School in Sydney and plays rugby for the college.

He is contracted at South Sydney until the end of 2021, but the Rabbitohs are looking to upgrade his contract to fend off union.

He has been training with the NRL squad all off-season, but he isn’t eligible for first grade until he turns 18.

It’s understood Suaalii may play in the Jersey Flegg (under 20s) ranks for South Sydney this season.

Originally published as Mystery surrounds Joseph Suaalii’s future after Souths pull teenage star from SG Ball