Hamish McLennan feels total vindication over Joseph Suaalii’s signing, while taking aim at Rugby Australia

Former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has taken aim at his former board for even considering a release of Joseph Suaalii back to his former code, saying the NRL convert can change the game.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii can become the Tom Brady of rugby union, says the man who orchestrated his multimillion dollar signing to the game.

Former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan declared he’s been completely vindicated by the signing of Suaalii to a three-year, $5.35 million contract, and on the eve of Suaalii’s Wallabies debut against England this weekend took a pointed shot at his former colleagues.

Former Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan has taken aim at his former employer. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

“I was horrified to hear RA tried to sell Joey back to the Roosters, what were the ding dongs on the board thinking? If you can’t see that with some time and investment, Joseph could be the Tom Brady of rugby,” McLennan told this masthead.

It’s understood that the Roosters approached RA about the possibility of getting their former centre back on a sabbatical deal for 2026, but following brief discussions it was determined there was no way to make it work.

McLennan says Suaalii can be rugby’s Tom Brady. Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP

McLennan continues to have close ties to Suaalii, who decided to make the switch from the NRL following a barbecue chicken lunch at McLennan’s harbourside mansion midway through last year.

“Joseph is so humble and an amazing role model for aspiring rugby players, he’ll want to spark the Wallabies up and do his family and Australia proud,” McLennan said.

“I think Joey will provide the spark to a Wallabies resurgence.

“I feel absolutely vindicated by the decision to sign him.”

McLennan continues to have close ties withe former Rooster. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, is considered not only the best NFL player of all time but one of the greatest athletes in history.

But McLennan took aim at RA’s board, along with chairman Daniel Herbert and chief executive Phil Waugh over the financial troubles the game faces.

“As they try to shrink the game to greatness, the game needs new stars, centralisation and a constitutional overhaul,” McLennan said.

“How ironic is the only thing which will save the game will be the $100m from the ‘27 Rugby World Cup in Australia. As they back slap each other over it, not one current RA board member worked on the bid. Thank God Phil Kearns, Sir Rod Eddington and Anthony French were there to help us win it.

“I think Daniel and Philip have put themselves and the game in a lobster pot.”

Waugh was uninterested in engaging in a war of words with his former boss.

Waugh (R) is uninterested in a war of words with McLennan. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia

“Everyone in the Australian rugby community is excited to watch the Wallabies take on England this weekend to kick-off the Grand Slam tour,” Waugh said.

“The future of Australian rugby is bright. After a year-long reset of the organisation, we are unified, optimistic and ambitious.”

McLennan revealed he met Suaalii before the 21-year-old left for the spring tour.

“Our families are still connected and it’s a very personal thing for me, as it was my idea to get him back to rugby and I feel a sense of responsibility,” McLennan said.

“Joseph and I still chat and we caught up for coffee before he left for the United Kingdom.

“My daughter Olivia lives in London and she’s going to see Joseph and Angus Bell play at Twickenham and Murrayfield. She’ll be flying the family flag for Lucinda, Ted and I with the Suaaliis and the Bells.”

Hamish McLennan with his family. Picture: NSW Real Estate

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been highly impressed by Suaalii’s work ethic since joining camp, and believes it is worth risking him starting at outside centre at the home of rugby, Twickenham.

“Everything’s a risk, but I would challenge that with everything’s an opportunity, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for a young man who’s really excited about getting the chance,” Schmidt said.

“For us, there’s four Test matches left this year before we embark on a massive Lions tour next year. So if not now, when? It makes some sense. It’s unlikely that it’ll go perfectly, but it will be a benchmark that he can build from.

“You’ve just got to be excited about the opportunity at Twickenham. There’s not many places more special.

“It’s a really special stadium to play in, and I think the cauldron that it is, it’s a good grounding, a good experience for any of our players – including Joseph Suaalii.”

Schmidt added:

Suaalii’s professionalism has really stood out to the Wallabies’ coach. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“The thing that I would have confidence around Joseph is how well he prepares himself.

“He’s a very professional young man. He’s had plenty of experience both playing rugby union and being professional as well with rugby league in the past and coming back to rugby union so those things give us confidence and give Joseph confidence that hopefully, he can hit the ground running in a couple of days’ time.

“He’s meticulous with his planning before he even gets to his preparation. He makes sure that he ticks all the boxes and asks a lot of questions.

“He played a lot of rugby, obviously, in school, through the pathway of Australian under-18s and he knows a number of the players through those teams as well.

“We just thought particularly with Hunter Paisami picking up an injury and Samu Kerevi coming in late that it was the best combination for us and a really good opportunity.

“I think when a player starts they get a little bit more training time with the team so getting those reps with the team I think is an advantage when you’re trying to slot someone in for the first time.”

Originally published as Hamish McLennan feels total vindication over Joseph Suaalii’s signing, while taking aim at Rugby Australia