NewsBite

Rugby powerbroker’s ‘cold feet’ over Suaalii deal as Robbo’s heart-to-heart revealed

The drums are beating a case of “cold feet” could open the door for NRL prodigy Joseph Suaalii to make a big career move.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii NRL PHOTOS.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii NRL PHOTOS.

Speculation has reportedly emerged Joseph Suaalii’s $5 million contract with Rugby Australia could be scrapped amid news he was welcome back at the Roosters after the deal expired.

That is according to the SMH who are reporting the rugby powerbrokers who tabled the bumper contract are reportedly getting “cold feet”.

What complicates the deal even further is where the funds are being pulled from for his salary worth over $1.5 million-per-season.

Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live with no ad breaks in play on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

Rugby Australia reportedly established a group in 2015 to fund community a high performance projects called the Rugby Foundation is paying a portion of the deal.

Meanwhile, the other half could be dependent on the size of the 15-man code’s next broadcast contract.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis also delivered another hammer blow to the rival code, revealing Suaalii will be returning to the Tricolours in 2028 after his three-year stint playing the 15-man game.

“It’s sad that we’ve lost him to union, but he tells us he’s coming back in 2028,” Politis told Channel 9.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. NRL PHOTOS.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. NRL PHOTOS.

That claim comes after reports Politis and the Roosters were reportedly angry with the way Suaalii and his agent Isaac Moses negotiated his rugby contract.

However, the club’s stance has backflipped after the young gun sat down for a heart-to-heart chat with experienced coach Trent Robinson.

The Roosters had reportedly lost faith in Suaalii, but Robinson reportedly stuck by him and after a conversation which involved a tears, the outside back emerged a new player.

Suaalii reportedly explained he regretted how the situation unfolded, while Robinson told the young gun he never wanted to force him out of the club early.

The honest chat saw Suaalii’s form return, culminating in a strong end to the season with the Roosters who made a charge to the finals.

Originally published as Rugby powerbroker’s ‘cold feet’ over Suaalii deal as Robbo’s heart-to-heart revealed

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/rugby-powerbrokers-cold-feet-over-suaalii-deal-as-robbos-hearttoheart-revealed/news-story/a6d1b71d1e395d22302aaa1f1c6fd3b5