NRL 2020: Wayne Bennett says expectation on 16-year-old sensation Joseph Suaalii over the top
Wayne Bennett has urged people to back off 16-year-old sensation Joseph Suaalii as the rising star weighs up a rich offer from rugby union.
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South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett says the expectation and pressure on 16-year-old sensation Joseph Suaalii is unfair as the teen star weighs up leaving the Rabbitohs to join rugby union on a rich contract.
Suaalii’s future has dominated the headlines this week with Rugby Australia prepared to offer him a three-year deal worth a reported $3 million.
It comes only a month after he agreed to a $1.7 million deal with Souths, but the deal couldn’t be registered with the NRL until he turned 17 on August 1.
Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe is doing his best to tempt the youngster to stay at Redfern, but it appears he has decided to join rugby for now.
Bennett says he may talk to Suaalii but wants to give him space first.
“He has had enough pressure, he doesn’t need me in his ear,” Bennett said.
“My big issue with Joe and any kid at his age is that it is totally unfair the amount of scrutiny that is put on them.
“It is life changing for them and they are not old enough to handle it, that is the part that disappoints me.
“The rest of it makes his football career more difficult than most other guys who are 16 and playing and may go on to be wonderful players in the future.”
Bennett wasn’t sure of a solution when asked if there was anything the NRL could do to prevent the pressure being placed on young players like Suaalii.
“But there is a responsibility from journalists as well, but you don’t carry any responsibility with that,” he said.
“I know the publicity that he has got in the last three or four days is not what I want for my 16-year-old.
“We still don’t know how good he is going to be, and suddenly he has this huge burden of expectation placed upon him.
“It is not healthy for anyone in that situation.”
Bennett also confirmed that back-rower Ethan Lowe was out of the season after having neck surgery on Tuesday.
Lowe suffered an exacerbation of an old neck injury during the Rabbitohs’ loss to Newcastle.
Bennett revealed surgery was the only option given the severity of the injury.
“It was pretty scary,” he said.
“The doctor wanted to operate on him straight away. He wanted him to get the operation on Monday to be honest.
“The doctor wasn’t happy with what he was seeing. It was pressure on the C4 and C6, so there are long-term injuries and disabilities.
“That is why the surgeon wanted to get it done immediately.”
Jack Johns, the son of Newcastle legend Matthew, will make his NRL debut for Souths against Canberra on Saturday night.
Bennett is excited about the potential of the rising forward, who is also the nephew of Knights immortal Andrew Johns.
“I coached his dad and his uncle in an Australian team, but Jack is his own man,” he said.
“He has earnt his position in the team and we are looking forward to seeing him play.
“He is a typical edge forward, he runs good lines, he is solid defensively and he communicates well.”
Meanwhile, Bennett confirmed Souths had no interest in Sonny Bill Williams as they had no space under the salary cap.
But the veteran mentor welcomed SBW’s looming return to the NRL, saying the Kiwi legend is free to sign with who he wants as criticism comes that he is returning to the star-studded Roosters.
“I’d rather see him go to a club of his choice,” he said.
“It is not our decision.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Wayne Bennett says expectation on 16-year-old sensation Joseph Suaalii over the top