NRL 2023: Joseph Suaalii could be off to Paris Olympics for Rugby 7’s pending Roosters release | What’s the Buzz
Rugby Australia have floated the idea of nabbing Joseph Suaalii early, and the incoming Wallabies star could be off to the 2024 Paris Olympics pending a Roosters release.
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Teenage star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could be off to the 2024 Paris Olympics, pending an early release from Sydney Roosters.
The idea has already been floated at Rugby Australia headquarters, knowing the Roosters are more than likely to release him 12 months early from his NRL contract.
Suaalii’s size, strength and speed would be ideal in sevens rugby at the Olympic Games. It’s a matter for his manager Isaac Moses to work on a crossover agreement with the Roosters and RA.
The Roosters have Dominic Young arriving from Newcastle to play on the wing next year, hence their interest in moving on Suaalii to free up salary cap space.
Rugby could certainly do with their $5 million man a year early, despite an improved effort against the All Blacks on Saturday.
There is a huge identity crisis with their sport, judging by the terrible TV ratings from last weekend’s Bledisloe Cup game in Melbourne.
The All Blacks v the Wallabies flopped, with only 524,000 viewers on metro, regional and streaming services, a far cry from the days when Bledisloe Cup blockbusters would attract audiences well above 1.5 million.
In Brisbane, a city once considered a rugby union stronghold, only 51,000 fans watched the game on free to air.
The figures compare poorly to rugby league’s State of Origin II (3.024 million) or the Matildas v Canada (2.458m) last Monday night on Channel 7.
The figures have left many in the media industry questioning Channel 9’s $150m investment in rugby broadcast rights.
Wallabies legend David Campese said “it breaks my heart” to watch the sorry decline of his former sport.
“It’s an identity issue,” Campese said. “No one knows who they are.
“Kids don’t know, no one knows. Name me five Wallabies players. When we played everyone knew us. They came and watched because we played entertaining rugby.”
Campese took aim at rugby’s governing body, headed up by high-profile chairman Hamish McLennan.
“I blame the administration,” he said. “The fish rots from the head.
“It hurts me to see the state the game is in. It’s disgusting that it’s been allowed to fall to this level.
“Kids know NRL players but not Wallabies.
“I know because I coach them. I’ve been cancelled out by them (Rugby Australia). They don’t listen to me.”
MEDIA BUZZ
Darren Flindell, 54
Sky Racing head caller
First job?
I was a teller at the Commonwealth Bank in Bexley before joining the Greyhound Recorder. My first calling gig was at the Moss Vale greyhounds, which regularly staged 21-race cards.
What’s your league team
From age 11, I would go to every Balmain Tigers game with my grandparents to watch my cousin Wayne Wigham play. He is to blame for the Tigers still being in my blood. I was so dedicated, I made my own Rugby League Week booklet at school which was rather biased.
Sporting heroes
As a Balmain boy, Wayne Pearce was a childhood idol. A good, hardworking player who inspired his teammates to greatness at the club and for NSW. Ben Elias was very exciting to watch. You never knew what would happen next.
What sports did you play?
I played rugby league at school and for the Kingsgrove Colts. With limited ability, I managed to run a few tries in the corner wearing the number 4 or 5. I showed far more talent in the swimming pool, winning numerous premierships over 50m at the school and regional carnivals.
How do you spend a day off?
In the summer I’ll get to the beach regularly; in the winter it’s on the couch days watching Netflix or Stan, or NRL on Sundays at the local.
Career highlights?
Calling the Winx winning streak brought great pressure and pleasure. Her final win was a magic moment in front of a packed house, all cheering for one horse. Calling Chautauqua’s third TJ Smith win will be what I’m best remembered for.
SEN BACKING AUSSIE ANGE
SEN will cover every Tottenham Hotspur game in the English Premier League this year to keep fans in touch with Aussie coach Ange Postecoglou.
“We’re going to get right behind Ange,” said SEN boss Craig Hutchison. “We want our listeners to follow his journey from the start to finish. He’s always been very generous with his time on the network and he’s a great story that’s of huge interest to all sports fans.”
LEGENDARY SPORTING JOURNO NEVER ROOS A DAY
The NRL Hall of Fame’s newest member Ian Heads was back at the SCG last week — the place he witnessed one of the greatest moments in Kangaroos history 73 years ago to set him on the way to becoming the game’s most respected author, historian and journalist.
Heads, 80, (pictured) was in the crowd in July 1950 with his uncles, when Ron Roberts slid through the mud on a wet SCG to score in the corner and give Australia their first series win against the Poms for 30 years.
Last week, Heads returned to the ground for his Hall of Fame photos, having been unable to attend the official function with fellow inductee and great mate George Piggins.
“My memory remains of the mighty roar that went up, of great tumult and movement and shouting on the far touchline – and of hats and shredded paper flying into the air in a joyous and spectacular celebration,” he said.
“Thousands invaded the field and a mass of spectators swept into the members reserve, chanting ‘We Want Churchill’.”
Heads covered grand finals, Tests, Olympics and everything in between during his career but, above all, his great contribution has been to help generations of young journos make their way through the rough-and-tumble world of sports writing.
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