Latrell Mitchell weighs in on talk Joseph Suaalii should be banned from State of Origin before rugby switch

Latrell Mitchell has weighed in amid suggestions Joseph Suaalii should be excluded from State of Origin consideration before his rugby switch. Have your say here.

Joseph Suaali in Origin camp. Picture: NRL Photos

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell has put aside his rivalry with the Sydney Roosters to heap praise on rugby union-bound Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, urging him to be proud of himself and backing his right to be part of the NSW side.

Suaalii has been in the eye of a storm since announcing his plan to switch codes in 2025, his decision to take up a lucrative deal from the Australian Rugby Union worth more than $5 million drawing condemnation from some within the NRL ranks.

Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould has been among the staunchest critics, suggesting Suaalii should leave now while others have suggested he should no longer be in contention for the Blues squad for the State of Origin series.

Mitchell — unveiled as one of three ambassadors for The Goanna Academy, an organisation set up by rugby league legend Greg Inglis to reduce the stigma of mental health — had nothing but praise for Suaalii on Wednesday as he insisted his right to play Origin should be based purely on merit.

Suaalii was part of the extended Blues squad last year and while he is unlikely to be a walk-up start for the NSW squad, he is tipped to come into contention if the Blues suffer injury in the leadup to the series.

“One hundred percent if he is doing the right things,” Mitchell responded when asked whether Suaalii should be considered for Origin.

“I don’t think you say because he has made a decision on his future that you go and tarnish him and say he can’t play our game.

“If he is doing his job, put him in. I would one percent love to have him outside me. He is going to be something and he has to be proud of himself and what he is achieving.

“Regardless of what anyone is saying, backing yourself is the biggest thing I have always done and he is doing that now.

“We’ll see another Sonny Bill Williams.”

MONDAY BUZZ: SUAALII SIGNING A GIGANTIC GAMBLE BY RUGBY

Phil Rothfield

Not all rugby league converts make it in rugby union.

For every Wendell Sailor, Matt Rogers and Israel Folau there have been some huge names who struggled.

Sam Burgess, Benji Marshall and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are good examples.

This is why rugby’s $1.6 million-a-season investment in Joseph Suaalii could be seen as a risk.

Rugby union needed a trophy signing because their game has an identity crisis.

Three quarters of the current Wallabies side could walk down George Street any day of the week without being recognised.

Joseph Suaalii has become the latest NRL star to be wooed by Rugby Australia. Picture: Getty

It’s a far cry from the days of the Ella brothers, John Eales, David Campese, George Gregan and Tim Horan, all household names in Australian sport and players that youngsters worshipped.

Rugby Australia has signed Suaalii for his brand and profile as much as his football ability.

It coincides with their planning to start talks for a new broadcast deal.

It is a risk for a number of reasons.

Especially around the reaction of Wallaby players and Suaalii’s future team mates.

The Wallabies have already lost some great players to international rivals.

Some of the biggest names in the international game – Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Jack Dempsey and Ireland’s Mack Hansen – were all once in the Wallaby pathways system.

They left because the local opportunities were so poor.

Manly’s Tolutau Koula is another NRL star on rugby’s radar. Picture: Getty

Player manager David Rawlings spoke to me recently of the blaze of publicity around Eddie Jones’ NRL hit list that also included Sea Eagles centre Toluta’u Koula and South Sydney’s Cameron Murray.

“Rugby players in general are sick of hearing about it,” Rawlings said.

“A lot of the boys are thinking, if they want NRL players, we’ll have to look elsewhere. It’s become a debacle.”

Also, how does young Max Jorgensen feel? He’s the Waratahs’ future superstar. An 18-year-old specialist fullback. He’s no doubt heard Suaalii has been guaranteed the Wallaby fullback jersey.

It’s a guarantee Suaalii couldn’t get in the NRL playing at the same club as the great James Tedesco and Joey Manu.

It also says a lot about the extraordinary depth of NRL talent compared to union.

Max Jorgensen is viewed as a future Wallaby and superstar of the 15-man game. Picture: Getty

Where does Suaalii rank amongst the top NRL fullbacks?

Behind James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Dylan Edwards, Ryan Papenhuyzen and maybe Reece Walsh. Let’s put him as the seventh best. He’s even third at his own club.

Would he have played State of Origin this year?

He’s not going to get a start in the centres ahead of Turbo, Latrell, Jack Wighton or Campbell Graham. Even Kotoni Staggs is ahead of him on form. Let’s say he’s sixth in line for the Blues centres.

What about a spot on the wing?

Surely Brad Fittler and Greg Alexander won’t make the same blunder as last year by leaving Josh Addo-Carr out of the team. He was close enough to Australia’s best player at the World Cup.

Would Suaalii find a spot in the NSW centres ahead of Tom Trbojevic (L) and Latrell Mitchell? Picture: NRL Images

Penrith’s Brian To’o should be an automatic selection on the other wing. Then there’s Suaalii’s Roosters team mate Daniel Tupou, who has always got the job done for the Blues.

Ok, maybe the bench?

The Blues would have the likes of Dally M champion Nicho Hynes ahead of him.

Also Wighton, if he misses out at five-eighth or centre.

This is not a criticism of Suaalii. He’s 19, a terrific player and an outstanding young man.

However rugby union has paid way more than what he’s currently worth at $1.6 million a year.

He’s probably worth around half of that.

Time will tell if Suaalii has made the right decision.

He’s leaving a game, rugby league, that has never been in better shape.