Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has hit back at the 'cry babies' in rugby league criticising Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's newly announced move to rugby union.
It's been confirmed the highly rated Sydney Rooster talent will switch codes in 2024, leaving the National Rugby League for a lucrative spot in the 15-a-side sport. The transfer will reportedly see 19-year-old Suaalii earn $1.6million (AUD)—around £870,000—per year, which would instantly put him among the highest earners in union.
But the decision hasn't gone down well with some league loyalists as Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V'landys told the Sydney Morning Herald Suaalii would earn "twice the money for half the work." He went on to predict: "Joseph plays rugby for a little while he will get terribly bored and return to rugby league. That's what the majority of the players who switch codes do."
He's not the only figure in rugby league to express doubts or concerns over the move, which could see Suaalii capped by the Wallabies under Eddie Jones in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, or even the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025. Responding to those who have questioned the call in recent days, McLennan fired back in a feisty fashion of his own.
"What a bunch of cry babies," said the RA chief in a recent interview with The Australian. "They've completely thrown their toys out of the cot. They can say what they want but we won't be bullied."
The outcry regarding Suaalii's transition—which will take place after the 2024 NRL season wraps in the autumn—is also questionable considering he has roots in union. The Samoa representative once turned out at full-back for The King's School in North Parramatta and was also a sevens stand-out before committing to league.
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The 6'5" teenager has been hailed as a generational talent, making his NRL debut for the Roosters at 17 after being granted a special exemption to bypass the usual minimum age restriction of 18. He's since gone on to score 17 tries in only 27 NRL outings as the Roosters seek to win their first Premiership since 2019.
Despite bagging the rights to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup (as well as the women's edition in 2029), there are believed to be major concerns over Australia's rugby union participation levels. Rugby Australia moved quickly to replace Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie with Jones following his winter exit from the England set-up, and it's likely the league fan will have had a big hand driving the move to sign up Suaalii.
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith remained highly complimentary of "extremely humble" team-mate Suaalii but suggested Rugby Australia was spending its money in the wrong manner. "That $1.6 million could have been spent better on the grassroots of rugby than grabbing our beautiful young Suaalii," he told reporters on Sunday. "A $1.6m winger from the Roosters isn't going to help [Australia] beat the All Blacks."
