NRL 2022: Roosters prodigy Joseph Suaalii under pressure to earn starting spot

The Morris twins may have retired but the Roosters could still have a veteran presence in their backline in 2022 - and it may come at the cost of one of their highly-rated young guns.

Kevin Naiqama has joined the Roosters after a successful stint in Super League. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Roosters prodigy Joseph Suaalii is no guarantee to walk straight onto a Tricolours flank in 2022 thanks, in part, to the arrival of a recruit almost twice his age.

One of the hottest prospects in rugby league, 18-year-old Suaalii has spent the past year being touted as a future NRL superstar and short-priced favourite to replace the retired Brett Morris.

However, the recent signing of Fijian Test veteran Kevin Naiqama from the English Super League, coupled with Suaalii’s ongoing recovery from a serious foot injury, means there is suddenly a competition on when it comes to replacing both Morris twins.

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While the teenage young gun is already back training with the NRL squad, he is yet to fully recover from the July incident and won’t start running fully again until after Christmas.

Speaking after a Tricolours training session at Wyong on Friday, Roosters No.6 Luke Keary confirmed Naiqama, who will be 33 when the NRL season kicks off, looms as a genuine contender to start the year.

Roosters recruit Kevin Naiqama is pushing to start the season on the wing.

The playmaker also hinted at a utility role for the “underrated” Connor Watson, who returns from Newcastle, and suggested playmaker Sam Walker had added about 5kg to his frame.

Despite contemplating retirement after his most recent Super League title, Naiqama now finds himself in competition with one of rugby league’s brightest young stars.

While Daniel Tupou will start on one wing, and Joseph Manu at centre, the other two outside back spots will be fought over by a group of contenders including Suaalii, Naiqama, Paul Momirovski, Adam Keighran and Billy Smith.

Apart from boasting three consecutive Super League titles with St Helens — and a Man of the Match award in his most recent premiership win – the veteran Fijian flyer has also long been a mainstay of the Fijian team. He has also previously played 113 matches for Newcastle, Penrith and Wests Tigers.

While Naiqama played at centre throughout his UK stint, there is also a chance of him starting on the wing as coach Trent Robinson looks to replace departed Morris twins, Brett and Josh.

Asked who was favoured to replace B-Moz, Keary said: “There are a few boys vying for positions and obviously Kevvie has done a fair job over there at St Helens.

“Then you have the two young kids (Suaalii and Billy Smith) who are back training and creating some competition. They’re back with the team and getting through their rehab.”

While Suaalii is not yet back to full fitness, Keary revealed the youngster had used his time on the sidelines to bulk up.

Luke Keary has recovered from his ACL injury. Picture: Sydney Roosters

“(After being injured) last year he stayed in Sydney with a few of us and got a lot of physical work done in the gym,” the playmaker said. “So he looks good.

“He’ll be back running after Christmas and slowly progress from there.”

Elsewhere, Keary praised the return of Watson, who looks likely to fill the Roosters utility role, and form of halves partner Walker.

Keary said he was fully recovered from his ACL injury, but stopped short of revealing if he or Walker would be wearing the No.7.

“You will have to ask Trent about that,” he said, referencing coach Robinson. “We haven’t spoken any footy yet. (Laughs) And we haven’t spoken about numbers.”

Will it matter?

“Not for me,” Keary said. “We will get told our role and then learn that over the pre-season.

Joseph Suaalii has bulked up during the off-season. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“And whether you’re wearing seven, six, nine, fourteen, it doesn’t matter so long as you’re doing your role.”

On Watson, who returns to the club from Newcastle, he said: “I love Connor and it’s so good to have him back. He’s such a good player. And so underrated. He can play any position from one to 13, can play that utility role, he’s going to be very good for us.”

Keary also said he was looking forward to working with young gun Walker.

“I haven’t had the chance to play with him yet but he’s an exciting kid and we’ve all seen what he can do on a footy field,” he said.

“First season is always tough and he was in, out, played a little bit off the bench, started a few games, played well and learned some valuable lessons.

“He did some great stuff and he’s going to be a lot better for the year.”