Joseph Suaalii South Sydney debut: NRL could change rule for teen star
Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe used a private plane to jet Joseph Suaalii and his family to his Nana Glen property in an attempt to keep him at the Rabbitohs.
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The NRL will consider scrapping age restrictions on teenagers that will allow $2 million rookie Joseph Suaalii to make his NRL debut for South Sydney next year at 17.
It comes after Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe used a private plane to jet Suaalii, his family and South Sydney bosses to his house near Coffs Harbour last week in an attempt to keep him at the Rabbitohs.
Suaalii on Monday turned his back on rugby union’s offer and the chance to win an Olympic gold medal to stick with the Rabbitohs. He could now debut in the opening round of 2021.
The NRL wants to change the age rule introduced 10 years ago that a player cannot debut until they turn 18.
Suaalii only turns 17 this Saturday and was facing a season in SG Ball competition.
“You’ve got to be agile and be ready for every challenge that’s thrown at you,” said independent commission boss Peter V’landys.
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A secret meeting at Crowe’s multi-million dollar property in Nana Glen may have helped seal the deal with Suaalii.
Crowe entertained the Suaaliis at his 400-hectare property as the chase for the rising star hotted up with the meeting coinciding with the rugby offer.
Last week Rugby Australia seemed to have had the inside running, the lure of playing for Olympic gold in rugby Sevens in Tokyo is understood to be a drawcard for Suaalii. Rugby union had also offered him the opportunity to play straight away this year for the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
Suaalii can now do a full pre-season and start in round one for the Rabbitohs.
Jordan Rankin was the youngest player of the NRL era to debut at 16 years and 238 days.
A number of great players started out at 17 including Jason Taumalolo, Wade Graham and Karmichael Hunt.
V’landys has written to Souths chief executive Blake Solly to say he is on the case.
The Suaalii deal is worth $2 million over three years from next season at Souths, as revealed by The Daily Telegraph two months ago.
V’landys will speak to RLPA boss Clint Newton before making a final decision.
“We’ll need their sign-off,” V’landys said, “Every situation has to be looked at on its merits.
“We’ll change it where an application can be made to the commission.
“It doesn’t mean it’s automatically approved but if there are special circumstances we’ll look at it.
“You can’t have a rule that just blocks you. You’ve got to be able to use discretion.”
V’landys is well aware of Suaalii’s talents and the fact good judges are talking him up as a once in a generation player.
“This kid has an extraordinary physique,” he said.
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“At the end of the day you’ve got to accept there are going to be challenges from other sports.
“This kid is a champion of four or five sports (played NSW junior league, union, AFL, basketball)
“Everything he touches, he’s a natural. We want these talented kids playing rugby league.”
South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas said he naturally had a great hope Suaalii stayed with the Rabbitohs.
“We would love Joseph to stay,” Pappas said.
“We are unashamed in our desire to keep him. But we are also aware that Joseph is 16 and that this decision is entirely up to him and his family. Blake Solly and other Rabbitohs staff members have really left the family alone to make their decision.
“I know there may be a desire to play in the rugby sevens at the Olympics in Tokyo next year. Whatever Joseph and his family choose to do we will respect his decision.”