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."
