Joseph Suaalii Rugby Australia deal: Nick Politis and Hamish McLennan weigh in on NRL star’s switch

Roosters boss Nick Politis has spoken for the first time about Joseph Suaalii’s decision to quit rugby league and take up a multi-million dollar contract with the Wallabies.

Nick Politis and Joseph Suaalii.

Roosters boss Nick Politis has reassured Joseph Suaalii he’ll always be welcomed back to the NRL as Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan warned the critics their frenzied attacks could drive the teenage superstar and other high-profile league players away forever.

In his first public comments since rugby’s leaders pulled off a massive coup by signing one of the country’s hottest prospects to a three-year deal believed to be worth a staggering $5 million, a conciliatory Politis said he harboured no ill feelings against the 19-year-old.

“I’m obviously disappointed that Joseph is leaving,” Politis said.

“But he is a Rooster for the next 18 months and we’re really happy about that.

“I support everything Trent Robinson has already said. He’s a tremendous player and a wonderful person.

“I’m hoping he’ll do his three years in rugby, win a World Cup, then come back home.

“He will always be welcome at the Roosters.”

While the billionaire accepts Suaalii’s decision, he is still angry at the manner in which his club was blindsided by agent Isaac Moses, who secretly negotiated the deal with Rugby Australia.

The extended olive branch from Politis came just as McLennan fired back at the ‘thuggish’ league identities who have taken aim at Suaalii over his decision to return to the sport he played as a child.

Dismissing as ‘laughable’ the notion that Suaalii and his manager Isaac Moses should have told the Roosters he was negotiating a comeback before putting pen to paper, McLennan said the vitriol directed at the teenage prodigy was playing straight into rugby’s hands.

News Corp can also reveal that as a result of the relentless attacks on Suaalii, the prodigy has now been offered an additional once in a lifetime golden incentive to stay in union beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaaliiis rugby bound.

“We’ve spoken to him about playing Sevens at the Los Angeles Olympics,” McLennan said.

“It‘s an open offer for Joseph to play Sevens at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. How incredible is that?”

And McLennan also disclosed that influential Wallabies coach Eddie Jones – who has close connections in both codes – is being deployed to help secure the signatures of more NRL stars who have secretly approached rugby in the past week.

“I can‘t say who it is but there’s one big left field name since the Suaalii news has come out who said he’d be open to playing for the Wallabies and playing union,” McLennan said.

“Eddie and I need to chat about that.”

Asked directly whether Penrith’s Nathan Cleary was now a future target after the Panthers’ halfback said he might consider a switch “down the track”, McLennan was coy, saying only that the Clive Churchill medallist’s legacy would only be enhanced if he played rugby.

Australia’s gold medal winning Rugby Sevens women’s team.

“An obvious brilliant talent, who, like Joseph, could be the master of two codes,” he said.

While Bulldogs manager Phil Gould has been leading the attacks against Suaalii – calling for the outside back to be booted out of the NRL immediately – the Roosters have been playing the long game, knowing Suaalii will only be 24 and at the peak of his powers when the 2027 Rugby World Cup is completed.

Suaalii’s manager has copped the brunt of criticism for not notifying the Roosters he was in talks with Rugby Australia – with Politis only getting wind something was in the air when Moses applied to have his rugby union agent’s accreditation renewed.

Nick Politis has offered an olive branch to Joseph Suaalii. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

But McLennan said it was ‘naive’ to think a player agent should reveal their confidential negotiations, cheekily adding that Moses should be applauded for securing a great opportunity and lucrative contract for his talented client.

“If you’re a disenfranchised league player, give Isaac Moses a call because he’ll do the right thing by you,” McLennan said.

“Isaac Moses is under no obligation to reveal a negotiation at any point. To paint him as the bad guy is laughable, naive and outrageous. The truth hurts, Joey wanted to play rugby.

“League would never come to us if they were negotiating to take one of our players. Joseph, more than anyone, is dignified.

“How dare anyone say someone else can‘t change roles and better themselves and set themselves up for life. In any industry, what obligation do you have to disclose a negotiation?”

McLennan also scoffed at suggestions rugby had paid over the odds for Suaalii – saying he was already proving his value by changing perceptions.

“You‘ve got an instant icon. The NRL’s thuggish response has galvanised the rugby community by getting one of our own back,” McLennan said.

“It will help with private equity, it will help with our media rights negotiations, and I’m sure you‘ll just get some of those young kids who’ll think twice about whether they go across to league.”

Originally published as Joseph Suaalii Rugby Australia deal: Nick Politis and Hamish McLennan weigh in on NRL star’s switch