Suaalii rugby news: Star Rooster’s insane earning potential revealed, why NRL comeback in doubt

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii hasn’t even left the Sydney Roosters yet, and already plans are afoot to ensure he never returns to the NRL - with his staggering earning potential in rugby laid bare.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stands to become one of Australia’s richest athletes should he stick with rugby union. Picture: Getty

He could become rugby’s $40 million man.

Sydney Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii may never return to rugby league with his forecast career earnings in rugby union – in Australia and overseas – tipped to exceed a staggering $20m.

And, remarkably, a leading talent agent has predicted Suaalii could pocket another $20m off the field through sponsorship and marketing.

He could retire among the richest sportsmen in Australian sporting history.

Suaalii, 19, will quit the Roosters after next season to take up a three-year Rugby Australian contract worth nearly $5m.

He is earning around $750,000 this season at Bondi.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stands to become one of Australia’s richest athletes should he stick with rugby union. Picture: Getty

Suaalii is expected to be inundated with mega-rich offers through his career from cashed-up European and Japanese rugby union clubs.

The different tax systems in place overseas also appeal, with rugby players falling under a 15 per cent bracket that drastically enhances their take-home pay compared to Australia, where they’re taxed 47 per cent.

Former Parramatta winger Semi Radradra made a move to French club Toulon in 2017 in a deal worth $1.5 million over two years. He lit up the Top 14 competition and became one of the most sought after talents, and has since signed $1 million-a-year deals with Bordeaux and English club Bristol.

Suaalii signed a monster-money deal to move to rugby union. Picture: Getty

The 30-year-old is off contract this season and will command similar money for his next deal.

And former Melbourne and Wests Tigers star Marika Koroibete has also cashed in since switching from the NRL in 2017. After doubling his salary to $600,000-a-year by joining Australian rugby and the Melbourne Rebels, Koroibete has proven to be one of the best wingers in world rugby.

He was duly rewarded with a near $1 million-a-year deal with Japanese club Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights that runs through to the end of 2024.

Koroibete, 30, is still eligible to play for the Wallabies under the Giteau Law and therefore collects Test match payments to supplement his salary. It’s expected Rugby Australia will further relax the Giteau Law and allow more players to take up lucrative overseas offers, opening the door for Suaalii to become a long-term Wallaby while collecting the big dollars overseas.

Suaalii and his Roosters will travel to Melbourne for Thursday night’s massive game against the Storm.

Former South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson – the official who watched Suaalii develop at Redfern – spoke of the riches on offer in rugby union overseas.

“Joseph could come back to rugby league but the amount of money he is going to earn in rugby union … and not just here in Australia,” Richardson said.

Suaalii stands to earn insane money should he stick with rugby union. Picture: NRL Photos

“The money in Europe and Japan is huge.

“Once a player changes over, it’s hard for them to come back. He’s a natural rugby union player.

“Joseph has a really good kicking game, he can play fullback, he’s good under the high ball, he’s quick, he’s strong.”

Leading Australia agent Max Markson has predicted the highly-marketable Suaalii could earn up to $20m off the field throughout his international career.

“Rugby union is a global game and Joseph will pick up money all over the world in entertainment and get a profile,” Markson said.

“They can use his name, face, image and sponsorship. It will explode for him. That’s where he has to go; the more he plays, the better he plays, the bigger he gets.

“I’m not saying rugby league isn’t an international sport but it’s not on the same scale as rugby union. It just isn’t.

“Joseph could follow Sonny Bill Williams from rugby league and rugby union. Sonny Bill became an international star.”

While English rugby has recently suffered financial strain, forcing Premiership clubs to accept a reduced salary cap while foreign marquee players have been reduced from two to one for each team, French and Japanese clubs are continuing to offer the best players record money.

Originally published as Suaalii rugby news: Star Rooster’s insane earning potential revealed, why NRL comeback in doubt