It’s official: Suaalii seals multimillion-dollar deal with Australian rugby
The Joseph Suaalii circus is over, with the young Roosters star officially walking away from the NRL at the end of 2024 to take up a three-year multimillion-dollar contract with the Waratahs and Australian rugby.
Suaalii is set to become one of the highest-paid players in Australian rugby history, on a per-season basis, and will be eligible for the Wallabies in late 2024. It means he will be free to play in the 2025 British and Irish Lions series.
Joseph Suaalii will switch from the NRL to Australian rugby.Credit:Getty Images
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed the news to the Herald. He said the deal was for three years, up until the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Suaalii is poised to play Super Rugby for the Waratahs, in a move similar to Israel Folau in 2013.
“So happy for Joseph as such a wonderful ambassador for rugby,” McLennan told the Herald. “It will be electric to see him play for the Waratahs and wear Wallaby gold for Australia.”
After days of speculation, the Roosters were informed by Suaalii’s management he will not be continuing with the club in 2025.
The Roosters released a statement on Saturday evening.
“The management of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii have informed the Sydney Roosters that he will be departing the club at the end of his current contract term,” the statement read. “Suaalii is contracted to the Roosters until the conclusion of the 2024 NRL season.”
The 19-year-old was hotly pursued by rugby during his high school years but decided to play in the NRL.
“Joseph has been transparent with the club and we respect his decision,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said. “He has made his commitment to the Roosters club for the next year and a half crystal clear, and we’re excited about the path we’re on.”
Suaalii said in a statement: “The Sydney Roosters have been great to me and my family since I got here and the club is always going to be a big part of me. There’s still a long way to go in my journey with the Roosters and my sole focus is on working hard every day to keep improving and performing my role for the team.”
More to come
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