NRL to consider bending rule to allow Suaalii to debut for Roosters

The Australian Rugby League Commission will look changing the game’s age policy when they consider whether 17-year-old prodigy Joseph Suaalii should be allowed to play in the NRL in 2021.

Roosters signing Joseph Suaalii.

The Australian Rugby League Commission will look changing the game’s age policy when they consider whether 17-year-old prodigy Joseph Suaalii should be allowed to play in the NRL in 2021.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Roosters have yet to approach the Commission to seek an exemption to allow their star recruit to play next year, but NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the league would be willing to consider it due to “exceptional circumstances”.

“It depends on the individual circumstance,” Abdo said.

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“If there’s an opportunity to fast-track someone on an exceptional basis, then they will do that.”

Abdo also revealed the game would consider adjusting their age policy on a permanent basis.

“What we’re not doing [with Suaalii] is revisiting the rulings entirely, although we might do that down the track,” Abdo said.

“Those decisions won’t just happen overnight, they happen after the commission has considered the justification and ultimately the due diligence of that process.”

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Suaalii’s future has been a long running soap opera, with some critics believing he hasn’t warranted the attention having not played a minute of NRL.

However Abdo believes the interest in the young man is a credit to his individual talent and he was excited that he chose to explore his potential in rugby league.

Joseph Suaalii in action for the Australian Schoolboys.

“There are always exceptions,” Abdo said about Suaalii.

“Now, isn’t it great that we have people talking about a highly talented athlete who wants to play rugby league? I think that’s terrific.”

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Originally published as NRL to consider bending rule to allow Suaalii to debut for Roosters