Rugby madness .. or backflip of the year ..

[Woodsie]

Reported yesterday that the recent South Sydney signing of the 16 year old superstar for $1.7 million for 3 years .... has done a podium finishing backflip and just signed with Rugby Australia for $3m over 3 years .....

Talk about an "all in" gamble ... on a 16 yo ... and yes I know they say he is the goods on and off the field ....

This is the same Rugby that said they were in danger of going bankrupt if they had to pay out Folau $4 m ...

This is the same Rugby that has just had an acrimonius dispute with players about taking reduced contracts ... wonder how some of those lads are taking the news ...

This is the same Rugby that knocked back a TV deal ... only to go back cap in hand and settle for peanuts ....

What the fukk are they thinking ....

 

[47MVEagle]

RA has come out & flatly denied the signing, saying it's just the usual tactics from the usual suspects attempting to inflate the lad's value.

 

[Woodsie]

Teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii could become the richest 16-year-old sportsman in Australian history after reportedly signing a lucrative deal with Rugby Australia.

In a massive coup for the 15-a-side code, RA may have sensationally snapped up the youngster on a monster three-year $3 million deal after it was expected he had chosen to remain with the NRL at South Sydney Rabbitohs.

However on Tuesday evening RA said the code hop deal was "not done yet".


"Financial offers being speculated in the media presently are totally fanciful and are being propagated by the usual suspects whose sole interest it is to inflate and misrepresent contract values," RA interim CEO Rob Clarke told AAP.

"At this stage, there has been no agreement between Joseph, his family or his representation.

"Joseph Suaalii is an upstanding young man and a talented rugby player. We have made it no secret that we would like to keep Joseph within the rugby pathway."

Contracted with Souths until the end of next season, Suaalii last month agreed to a three-year extension at Redfern worth around $1.7 million.https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/nrl
https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/nrl/moses-ready-to-make-nrl-return/ckcwgrfvq000f0hpycqi11puf
But the Daily Telegraph reports, the Rabbitohs were unable to register the contract with the NRL until Suaalii turned 17 on August 1, which has given RA the time they need to steal the talent with an astonishing $1-million-a-year offer.

 

[Woodsie]

RA has come out & flatly denied the signing, saying it's just the usual tactics from the usual suspects attempting to inflate the lad's value.

Fukk you ... and your facts ....

 

[Brissie Kid]

Good luck ARU. One player signed. No money left to buy the other 15 to 20 Wallabies needed.

 

[The Who]

Wasn't Tom Wright the best football prospect to come out of GPS rugby?

 

[Nordburg]

It appears the story originally came from NewsCorp so I wouldn’t be trusting that figure.Last night,on the NewsCorp owned NRL360,the journos were scathing of the situation and basically brushed the young player.Yet it was only a month ago the likes of James Hooper and co were lavishing praise on him like he would eventually become an immortal

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

As they say....dont let the facts get in the way of a good story!

 

[47MVEagle]

Interesting, the article I read where RA denied it has been removed from News Ltd website!

 

[47MVEagle]

Fukk you ... and your facts ....

Awayinbileyirheid!

 

[Shoe1]

Yawn

 

[Kevinward777]

If it means he won’t be playing for Souths then I’m all for RA breaking the bank to sign him. I actually have a mate who has a fair bit to do with the Kings School and he reckons Suaalii is the best prospect he’s ever seen.

At least we won’t have to listen to the commentary team froth every time he touches the ball like they do with Ponga.

 

[ricardo]

The kid's a freak. He played for Kings in their first 15 when he was 14. Basically a year 10 guy playing against year 12 blokes (and killing it from all reports). A GPS mate of mine hasn't been this excited about a young prospect since Beale ripped it up with Joeys.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Why wouldn't you take $1mil a year to play Rugby. Less physically demanding and you get to travel the world. He'll be 20 when the deal is complete. How many 20 year olds have grossed $3mil ??

If he wants to play NRL he has still got plenty of time to make it happen. But if he has any sort of talent it won't take much for him to be the shining light of Australian Rugby and they'll be throwing even more cash at him.

 

[Waz13]

The kid's a freak. He played for Kings in their first 15 when he was 14. Basically a year 10 guy playing against year 12 blokes (and killing it from all reports). A GPS mate of mine hasn't been this excited about a young prospect since Beale ripped it up with Joeys.

And look how Beale turned out. Solid enough but hardly a world beater. Huge gamble imo.

 

[Kevinward777]

And look how Beale turned out. Solid enough but hardly a world beater. Huge gamble imo.

I think the fact that Suaalii is such a massive kid with incredible agility and pace is what makes him so hype worthy. Still a gamble though.

 

[Woodsie]

Kenty's main point ... apart from Rugby pawning the silverware to get him .... was that it unfairly placed enormous pressure on a 16 year old to be the face and future of Rugby .....

No one denies he is a freak talent .... but boy .... talk about put some expectations on him ....

Personally wish him all the best ...

 

[Chip and Chase]

Kenty's main point ... apart from Rugby pawning the silverware to get him .... was that it unfairly placed enormous pressure on a 16 year old to be the face and future of Rugby .....

No one denies he is a freak talent .... but boy .... talk about put some expectations on him ....

Personally wish him all the best ...

Mate no one is forcing him to take a $3mil deal. If he doesn't want pressure than stay with Rugby on a $100K a year and play up through club / provincial system to international level and let his talent do the talking. If he cracks the Wallabies and brains it then sign the multi million dollar deals safe in the knowledge you are worth it and can deliver

The only one putting pressure on here is he and his manager by shopping himself around to the highest bidder.

 

[40 nil]

I think the fact that Suaalii is such a massive kid with incredible agility and pace is what makes him so hype worthy.

His highlights video remind me of a young Turbo - wonder if he'll be as good 🙂

 

[ricardo]