On the eve of Joseph Suaalii's first game against South Sydney, Trent Robinson claims the teenager can fulfil his immense talent and become a superstar of the NRL by staying with the Sydney Roosters.
Before his NRL career had begun, Suaalii had already written himself a chapter in the storied rivalry between Souths and the Roosters.
The 19-year-old came through the junior ranks at the Rabbitohs but snubbed their offer, then left Rugby Australia at the altar before joining the Roosters in 2021.
Friday's game is Suaalii's first against the Rabbitohs since that defection, with both teams desperate to guarantee themselves a home elimination final by winning the opening game at Allianz Stadium.
As if the new stadium, the oldest rivalry in the game in Australia and the winger's divisive switch wasn't enough to draw attention to the game, Suaalii is once again attracting interest from RA.
His hot run of form, which includes six tries in his last seven games, has RA executives sitting up and dangling the carrot of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027 in front of him.
"I've seen there's been a bit of back and forth but Joey is here next year. It's not a concern for us," Robinson said on Thursday.
"Not because it (the interest) is not real, but because you create an environment that he loves walking into and wants to be a part of.
"We want him to want to be here and he definitely wants to be here. He's rare, I know that and that's why we are talking about him.
"Joey is always going to have a choice but we think we can provide a good life and footy career (for him).
"We love him and we think he can be the great player and the star he will become in these colours."
Robinson said he admired how Suaalii had learnt to do the tough stuff first, crediting his willingness to take ugly carries to get the Roosters on the front foot.
The Roosters coach has resisted the temptation to rest his key men given they are assured of their place in the finals with the only thing left to decide is where.
Lock Victor Radley has not been named to play after convulsing following a concussion in last week's win over Melbourne, while prop Lindsay Collins is suspended for a hip drop tackle.
"He (Victor) has been really good right from after the game," Robinson said.
"Based on symptoms he could have played this week, but we were never going to play him after what (the convulsions) we saw."
Radley is expected to return for week one of the finals.
Souths will be without coach Jason Demetriou (COVID-19) and Robinson, who was forced to miss a game earlier this season, said it wouldn't weaken the Rabbitohs.
"Most of our stuff is done during the week and then it's over to the players," he said.
"I'd rather have me missing than a player."
