Peter V’landys ready to change NRL rules for teenager Suaalii

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys says the game may let Joseph Suaalii play as a 17-year-old if he stays in the NRL.

Joseph Suaalii playing rugby union for the Kings School. Picture: SPA Images

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys says the game will consider changing their rules to allow South Sydney youngster Joseph Suaalii to play in the premiership as a 17-year-old should he decide to reject the advances of rugby union.

Suaalii has been at the centre of a lucrative tug of war between Souths and Rugby Australia. He is yet to make a final decision but amid initial concerns that he may turn his back on rugby league, there is now a growing sense that the pendulum has swung back towards the Rabbitohs.

Should Suaalii stay, V’landys said the game may revisit the rules that prevent anyone making their first grade debut before they have turned 18.

“One thing I have noticed with rugby league is that the rules are too prescriptive,” V’landys said

“In any corporate governance model you have to have discretion because you are going to face challenges like Covid. And if you don’t have discretion, and you don’t have the agility, you will fail.

“So we will look at all the rules to give the commission the power to make decisions on their merits. That is one rule we will look at.”

The change would need the support of the Rugby League Players Association because it is part of the collective bargaining agreement.

“But all rules have to be flexible and they have to meet all challenges before the commission and the management of the NRL,” V’landys said.
“Some of the rules don’t allow us to do that. That is one thing about the commission — we will make change when it is necessary.

“We will look at anything that is for the benefit of the game. So we should look at all cases on their merits. We should not have blanket rules that stop you from doing things that are for the benefit of the game.”