Monday Buzz: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii holiday snap set to create major angst for Wallabies
They say a picture speaks a thousand words – and this is the holiday snap of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii that is set to cause major angst for Wallabies stars, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
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They say a picture speaks a thousand words …
On Saturday Australian rugby’s new $5 million man Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii posted a poolside photo of himself relaxing at a luxury resort in Fiji.
Meanwhile 14,000 kilometres away in Pretoria the Wallabies were about to be flogged 43-12 by a South African side that rested 12 of its best players.
Welcome to the Wallabies’ new era under Eddie Jones.
Rugby Australia officials deny there is angst among the players over the Suaalii contract.
That their stars are quite happy to be earning half or even a third of the teenager’s money.
A teenager who is struggling to make any impression this year with the Roosters in the NRL.
Player agents representing the Wallabies players have been banging on the door of rugby boss Hamish McLennan since Suaalii signed.
They feel like they’ve been dudded.
The Wallabies certainly played like a team with deep-set issues.
Issues that Jones can’t fix overnight with the signing of Suaalii.
They are facing a long and painful rebuild that requires a restructure and investment in grassroots, rather than throwing ridiculous amounts of cash at promising but still unproven rugby league players.
Not that this is Suaalii’s problem.
He can relax in Fiji on the Roosters’ bye weekend. It’s not his fault that Rugby Australia has stuffed this up.
HIGHLIGHT
The Parramatta Eels raised more than $100,000 for Daniel Anderson over the weekend. The leagues club donated $30,000, a legends jersey auction raised $22,000, plus $5 from every ticket sold to the match against the Warriors went to help their 2009 grand final coach.
HIGHLIGHT II
The Canberra Raiders’ Jonny Bairstow try-celebration in Wollongong on Friday night. It was tweeted to a world audience by Piers Morgan (8.4 million followers) and ESPNcricinfo (7.1 million followers). It is probably now the most watched rugby league moment in history.
Just found out the batsman in this shameful spirit-of-the-game mocking stunt is not only ENGLISH, but a YORKSHIREMAN. What on earth are you doing Elliott Whitehead? Are you a closet Australian? pic.twitter.com/BvT1008Gmf
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 7, 2023
LOWLIGHT
The RLPA-NRL dispute is not as one-sided as it looks. Both parties are equally at fault. Ask any of the NRL club chief executives and they’ll tell you how Andrew Abdo is stubborn and difficult to deal with. As for the RLPA, whoever came up with the dumb idea of a media ban is a complete dope. Fans have had enough of the spin and half-truths being peddled from both camps.
LOWLIGHT II
Greg Alexander has described the recent criticism of Blues coach Brad Fittler as cheap and personal. Brandy works in the media for Fox Sports and SEN and should know better. Three series losses in four years naturally attracts criticism, most of which has been on the money and fair.
No surprise that Brandy’s comments were published by Nine Entertainment, Freddy’s employer.
ORIGIN PAIN
Parramatta Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos has joined Wayne Bennett and a long list of club executives to complain to the NRL about Origin scheduling. Not that it was related to Saturday night’s loss to the Warriors. He spoke to Andrew Abdo about this issue two weeks ago.
HALF MEASURES
The Bulldogs paid a $500,000 transfer fee to buy rookie halfback Karl Oloapu from the Broncos. Now they’ve signed Toby Sexton. They also want Jayden Sullivan from the Dragons. Not sure how they are going to fit three halfbacks into the side.
SPOTTED
2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley leaving his table to go to the bathroom at the Daniel Anderson fundraiser on Friday as soon as host Yvonne Sampson started interviewing former colleague Alan Jones.
360 VIEW
Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis, Brent Read and Cooper Cronk for the latest Origin news and discussions on Round 19.
Haas’ brother signs Brisbane Broncos contract
Payne Haas is among the best props in the game, while Klese is growing into a key member of the Titans forward pack. Now a third Haas brother could soon be unleashed on the NRL.
‘F—ing softie’: Allegations levelled at exiled Tigers trio revealed
As the banned and suspended Wests Tigers board members mull over legal retaliation, we reveal the list of allegations against the trio made by the club’s owners which date back to 2020.