Rabbitohs frustrated with Joseph Suaalii’s contract demands, Roosters could swoop

The Rabbitohs are on the verge of scrapping a $1.7 million deal with cross-code prodigy Joseph Suaalii. Enter the Sydney Roosters.

South Sydney's Joseph Suaalii.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have reportedly shifted attention away from teenage phenom Joseph Suaalii following the young gun’s “remarkable” contract demands.

Suaalii became embroiled in a cross-code tug of war between the NRL and Rugby Australia this year, with both codes desperate to sign the footy freak.

Playing union for the prestigious Sydney private school Kings and league for the Rabbitohs’ juniors, many judges have tipped the versatile back to be the next big thing in whichever sport he chooses to pursue.

South Sydney had reportedly offered the 17-year-old a three-year, $1.7 million deal, and there was even discussion about whether he could make a first-grade appearance before his 18th birthday.

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But before putting pen to paper, Suaalii requested the Rabbitohs include “very unusual” release clauses in his favour every year, according to Channel 9’s Danny Weidler.

Teenage league sensation Joseph Suaalii.

On Tuesday afternoon, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Adrian Proszenko reported arch rivals the Sydney Roosters had emerged as shock contenders to sign Suaalii.

Wests Tigers icon Benji Marshall spoke about Suaalii’s dilemma on Fox League’s NRL 360: “I don’t like the attention part, just because of the pressure it’s going to bring to a kid.

“We’ve seen a lot of kids come through with that pressure and not be able to handle it and withstand it.

“When you start talking about kids at that age with big money, as soon as you talk about big money with anyone, the pressure intensifies by a lot.

“It’s going to be tough on the kid, but if he can back it up and play to the level that everyone thinks he can, then it’s a different story.

“The club with the most money wins here.”

According to Wide World of Sports, South Sydney have lost patience with the teenager, and are now chasing Melbourne Storm superstar Josh Addo-Carr.

In August, Addo-Carr revealed he was eager to reignite his career by becoming a fullback with a Sydney-based club.

The 25-year-old had previously been linked to the Wests Tigers for next season, but Wayne Bennett’s side boasts one of the most formidable back lines in the NRL.

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Josh Addo-Carr of the Melbourne Storm.

Despite the monetary benefits, veteran broadcaster Phil Gould was not eager for Addo-Carr to move away from the wing, where he has scored 67 tries in 86 appearances for the Storm.

“I don’t want to see him play fullback, he’s a winger,” Gould told Wide World of Sports’ Final Whistle.

“I know he’s had a desire to come to Sydney for some time and he would be a good pick-up.

“He’s a try scorer, he’s a matchwinner, he’s a match-saver, he’s an Origin-class player, he’s a terrific footballer — but he’s not a fullback.”

RAPANA’S “GOING NOWHERE”

Following his brief spell with rugby union in Japan, Jordan Rapana is set to sign a two-year deal with the Canberra Raiders.

The Raiders signed Rapana on a short-term deal after the coronavirus pandemic, and the New Zealand international has featured at fullback and centre throughout the 2020 premiership.

Speaking to NRL.com, the 31-year-old winger confirmed he’s not going anywhere.

“My manager’s speaking to (Canberra coach Ricky Stuart) and he’s spoken to me and told me I’m a part of his plans,” Rapana said.

“So we’re just sorting that out at the minute. I have no intentions of going anywhere else put it that way.

“I love it here, this is where I want to be and we’ve got unfinished business here.

“Until we get that business right, I’m going nowhere.”

The Raiders will face the Sydney Roosters at the SCG on Friday evening for a mouth-watering 2019 Grand Final rematch.

SOLIOLA EXTENDS CANBERRA CONTRACT

Canberra have re-signed veteran forward Sia Soliola on a one-year contract to extend his stellar career into a 17th season.

Soliola, 34, has been one of the Raiders’ most consistent performers since joining the club back in 2015.

Now he will be rewarded with an extension for the 2021 season, which most likely will be his final season in the NRL.

Soliola said he signs this new deal with the feeling that he can continue the journey with the club which gave him the opportunity to return and succeed in the NRL.

“I’m really pumped. First and foremost, I want to thank the club for giving me another opportunity to play,” Soliola said.

“The year I’ve had has been a strange one but it its really nice at 34 to be playing the game I love. I’m really enjoying it and it’s a great group of guys and I think this club is going to be a consistent title contender for the future and I want to be part of that.”

The former New Zealand Test representative has endured a challenging 2020 season after fracturing his face in round 8 against St George Illawarra.

It was initially feared that Soliola would be out for the season when had to have 20 screws inserted into his face following multiple fractures.

He underwent surgery and could only eat blended food through a straw but remained determined to make a comeback.

— With James Matthey and Matt Logue