Twist in cross-code tug-of-war for Suaalii as manager move ignites $1.4m fears: Transfer Whispers

The ongoing saga surrounding Joseph Suaalii’s future with the Roosters has taken another twist with his manager making an eye-catching move.

Joseph Suaalii has been put on report for a late tackle in the Roosters clash against the Warriors. Credit: NRL Images.

The ongoing saga surrounding Joseph Suaalii’s future with the Roosters has taken another twist with his manager reportedly renewing his accrediation with Rugby Australia.

Suaalii signed an extension that will keep him at the Roosters until the end of 2024. But with fullback James Tedesco also signing an extension, speculation has been mounting that Rugby Australia and new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones will make a play for the talented star.

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According to reports they are prepared to pay as much as $1.4 million a season.

Now Suaalii’s manager Isaac Moses has had his registration accepted by Rugby Australia, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Moses lost his accreditation with rugby union, along with the NRL, following his involvement in a Parramatta Eels salary cap scandal.

Moses, however, said he managed a number of Wallabies and his registration had nothing to do with Suaalii.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Roosters.

It comes after rugby league great Laurie Daley suggested James Tedesco’s contract extension with the Roosters shows the club believes it will lose Joseph Suaalii.

It’s been described as the Roosters’ Adam Reynolds moment – and it’s sparked intense intrigue in the NRL world amid some suggestions there may be tension between the two stars and their respective management agencies.

It leaves the club wide open and vulnerable to future raids from rival clubs and Rugby Australia with the 15-man-a-side code prepared to splash cash ahead of the 2027 World Cup despite its challenging financial problems.

It was also revealed this month the Rabbitohs had offered Suaalii more than $2 million more than the Roosters’ extension was worth with a three-year offer. Suaalii has always preferred one-year contracts that essentially makes him a free agent every 12 months.

With all of that swirling in the background, Daley believes the Roosters have played it safe and stuck with Tedesco under a belief that Suaalii will eventually leave the club.

“I don’t think Suaalii will be there,” he said on Sky Sports Radio.

“I think this is a sign that the Roosters think they’ll lose him as well.”

Originally published as Twist in cross-code tug-of-war for Suaalii as manager move ignites $1.4m fears: Transfer Whispers