Buzz Rothfield’s NSW Origin team: Rugby boss’s ignorant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii take

Rugby union boss Hamish McLennan is running a campaign with his mates at Nine Entertainment to justify his $5 million spend on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Joseph Suaalii (left) in NSW camp last year.

If a NSW State of Origin side was chosen this week on form, teenage superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii would in no way deserve to be there.

Anyone who has watched his last two appearances for the struggling Sydney Roosters against Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks would understand that.

Rugby union boss Hamish McLennan is running a campaign with his mates at Nine Entertainment to try to justify his $5 million spend on the 19-year-old.

That’s all this is about.

Of Suaalii’s Origin claims, McLennan told Nine: “League should pick on talent and form, and not be vindictive.”

This comment is quite outrageous from someone who obviously knows little about rugby league. Smart businessman, yes. Rugby league selector, please.

Joseph Suaalii (left) in NSW camp last year.

Coach Brad Fittler’s job is on the line with the NSW State of Origin team this year.

The same can be said of his chief advisor Greg Alexander.

They have lost two of the last three very winnable series.

There is almost not enough space in this column to start listing their history of selection blunders.

The non-selections of Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton and Jake Trbojevic last year.

No phone call to Latrell Mitchell, who would have played if he’d been asked.

This year they must pick the best possible team.

And, on form, that does not include Suaalii.

Hamish McLennan reeks of ignorance, says Buzz. Picture: Tim Hunter

It’s not being vindictive, it’s actually common sense.

The teenager is not a $5 million player at this stage of his career.

He’s struggling with the pressure of the price tag.

Suaalii’s true value in rugby league right now on the form he has shown this year as a centre is probably $650,000 a season.

That’s not to say he won’t be a million-dollar player eventually, but definitely not at the moment.

The Roosters have been poor for the last couple of weeks and the youngster has contributed little.

He was outplayed two weeks ago by Reimis Smith, considered just a handy first grade centre.

Again he did little to threaten the Sharks on Friday night.

We’re not blaming the teenager for the Roosters’ woes.

There are others far more experienced playing poorly and ill-disciplined.

It’s just that $5 million contracts bring extra scrutiny. They are a lot to live up to.

McLennan’s comments reek of ignorance. Does he even watch rugby league?

Does he not understand there are at least seven centres ahead of Suaalii – that Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Campbell Graham, Jack Wighton (if he’s available), Kotoni Staggs, Stephen Crichton and possibly even the in-form Bradman Best could all be considered superior options as centres.

Even on the wing … Brian To’o, Daniel Tupou, Josh Addo-Carr (before he was injured) and again Campbell Graham, who is just as big and strong.

If Suaalii was playing better this might be a different story. He has a month before the Origin selections to prove us wrong. And in the meantime McLennan should stick to his rah rahs and the leather patches.