Monday Buzz: Incident highlights huge issue with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and James Tedesco

It took just 58 minutes to prove the battle between Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and James Tedesco is going to be a huge and closely-monitored issue, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Joseph Suaalii fails to pass to James Tedesco.

We broke the story last week that boom teenager Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has extended his stay at the Roosters until the end of next season, setting up a fascinating duel with champion fullback James Tedesco for the club’s No. 1 jersey long term.

It took just 58 minutes of Saturday’s Roosters v Warriors game to prove this is going to be a huge story and closely monitored issue over the next 18 months.

For those who may have missed it, there was an incident between Suaalii and Tedesco with the game on the line and the Roosters leading 14-6.

A try almost butchered.

Five-eighth Luke Keary delivered a beautiful pass to put Suaalii into the clear on their left side.

As Warriors five-eighth Te Maire Martin came across in cover, Suaalii had an unmarked Tedesco on his inside. It was a try under the posts every day of the week.

Joseph Suaalii fails to pass to James Tedesco.

Who could possibly ignore the Australian captain and arguably the game’s best player, screaming for the football, in a situation like this?

As Greg Alexander said on Fox Sports “Boy what are you doing?”

Instead of passing, Suaalii went for it himself.

By this time Warriors winger Edward Kosi had come across to round up the Roosters centre.

Luckily he had Sam Walker backing up and in a position to score.

Otherwise this could have been another Jarome Luai-Jaeman Salmon type on-field blow up.

It was interesting to hear Trent Robinson mentioning the young superstar after the game.

Without specifically mentioning the incident, Robinson said: “He’s not here to be that ‘young kid developing’ any more. He’s here to nail his role, nail it well and execute well.”

We all have to remember that Suaalii is a 19-year-old.

He is not a selfish player, as this incident may have indicated.

He is going to make a thousand mistakes over the next 10 years as even the great players do.

However it’s the timing of this one that has everyone talking.

The story around the fullback jersey is not going away anytime soon.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii leaves James Tedesco hanging.

Both players are off contract at the end of next season. Tedesco will be 32, Suaalii 21.

Tedesco’s management are already making noises around an extension.

I mentioned last week – and others have since jumped on the bandwagon – that this is the Roosters’ “Adam Reynolds” moment.

Souths having to release their great halfback because of salary cap pressure and to make way for the next generation of rookies.

The problem for the Roosters is that Suaalii has so far refused to commit long term.

He wants all his contracts to be one-year deals, leaving the way open for a switch to rugby union.

Whether Nick Politis allows the 12-month contracts to continue remains to be seen.

And the other fascinating sidelight is the managers of these two great players.

Tedesco is looked after by Joe Wehbe. Suaalii, who flicked his previous advisor, is managed by Isaac Moses.

Wehbe and Moses have fallen out and dislike each other. And both will be trying desperately hard to win this one.