NRL 2021: Unrealistic expectations were always going to make Joseph Suaalii’s debut difficult
When the NRL stepped in and changed to rules just so Joseph Suaalii could play before his 18th birthday, the Bunsen burner was applied to his backside with over-the-top expectations.
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Some things just do not live up to the hype.
The Joseph Suaalii show road up to the SCG with the expectation that something special was about to be unleashed on the rugby league public.
For now we will have to wait. But we won’t have to wait long.
The expectation placed on the 17-year-old’s shoulders was unfair.
But given the NRL changed the rules to allow him to play before his 18th birthday there was always going to be a fair bit of interest.
Jason Taumalolo, who made his debut in 2010, was the last 17-year-old to play in the top grade before the game made it impossible for players to play first grade before they can vote.
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Suaalii won’t turn 18 until August 1 and despite limited opportunities against a gallant Broncos side he still ran for 111 metres from 13 runs.
Coach Trent Robinson said it was a promising first outing for Suaalii.
“It was a good solid start from Joe,” Robinson said. “He should’ve had a try assist there. Good defensive plays. He covered his side really well. He got started.
“It was a good start for him.”
Tyson Gamble was placed on report for a crusher on Suaalii in the second half.
The opening try was scored by Brisbane centre Dale Copley who was the last 17-year-old to score a try in his first stint as a Bronco in 2009.
Playing at left centre, Suaalii had a low-key opening half having to wait four minutes for his first involvement which was a tackle on Brisbane backrower Keenan Palasia.
His first carry came six minutes later where he gave a glimpse of his trademark right foot step — gaining about seven metres with the run.
Suaalii cleaned up a grubber in the in-goal and produced a nice no-look pass to winger Daniel Tupou.
He made a line-break before pushing an off-load which found a Broncos player as the Roosters chased points.
The head-gear wearing centre who replaced Josh Morris, made six tackles, missing two.
ROOSTER’S NIGHT OF MADNESS KILLS ORIGIN DREAM
Victor Radley’s hopes of making his Origin debut are over after he spent two stints in the sin bin and was placed on report four times for separate high shots as he completely lost the plot in his side’s shock loss to the Broncos.
With the Blues team set to be picked next Sunday, the hard-hitting lock needs a miracle if he wants to be available for Game One at the MCG on June 9 after he felt the full wrath of the NRL’s crackdown on contact to the head.
The drama started after 12 minutes when the Roosters enforcer tried to lift his side with a big hit on Albert Kelly.
Replays showed his arms caught Kelly in the midriff, but Radley’s shoulder made contact with the head, leaving the referee no choice but to send him to the sin bin, much to James Tedesco’s shock.
Radley might have felt hard done by with that one but he only had himself to blame in the second half when he whacked Tevita Pangai Junior across the chops as he became the first player since Cameron Munster in the 2018 GF to be sin binned twice in the same game.
He was placed on report for a third time when he hit Jamayne Isaako high, and then, with blood streaming from his nose, he raced in from an off-side position to belt Xavier Coates cleanly, only to spoil it with high contact on the ground as things threatened to go nuclear.
“As far as I know, they’re not changing, so he’s going to have to get it in check. It’s hard for those guys who want to create a physical contest,” Trent Robinson said.
“It’s trying to work out how to be physical in this game. You can’t go high. You’ve got to get it lower, but I don’t there was intent on any of those.”
Robinson was asked whether he had considered hooking Radley for his own good, but said the onus was on the players to strike the right balance.
“You have faith in your player because they’re not dumb players,” he said.
“They’re physical guys and it’s up to them to work it out. Sometimes we can manage them by taking them off the ground, but it’s up to them to manage it themselves and that’s how they become better players.”
While the full force of the tackles will be felt in the coming days, Radley’s absence crippled his teammates as their attack through the middle crumbled without their key link man on the field.
“Discipline for us was poor, so there was no rhythm to the game,” Robinson said.
UPSET OF THE YEAR
The top five sides had only been beaten once by the other 11 teams this year, but that tally has doubled after the Broncos produced one of the greatest upsets in NRL history.
Bookmakers had the visitors as $10 outsiders after they were beaten by a combined score of 117-12 by the Roosters last year, but Brisbane defied the drift to stun the competition heavyweights with a team made up of unheralded youngsters and veterans on their last chance.
Playing his first NRL game since 2014, Albert Kelly sent his first kick out on the full but quickly found his feet to land a clutch 40/20 with 15 minutes to go to justify his shock recall to first grade.
“It was a real turning point for us tonight, and we need to build on it,” Kevin Walters said.
PANGAI SPOILS THE PARTY
It was meant to be the night Sam Walker rubbed it in Brisbane’s noses for letting him go, but for the first time in his young career, the teen sensation failed to fire on a night the club farewelled Jake Friend and welcomed Joseph Suaalii to the NRL.
No one told Broncos big man Tevita Pangai, who tormented Walker with every carry and was in his face every time he touched the ball, leading to two poor passes that were intercepted and resulted in tries.
It’s been a controversial week for Pangai who was spotted with Tigers officials, but he put the drama aside to show why he’s once of the fiercest back-rowers on his day.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in front of him; he’s always going to make their night uncomfortable and difficult,” Walters said.
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