Speculation has emerged Joseph Suaalii’s $5 million contract with Rugby Australia could be scrapped amid news he was welcome back at the Roosters after the deal expired.
That is according to the SMH who are reporting the rugby powerbrokers who tabled the bumper contract are reportedly getting “cold feet”.
What complicates the deal even further is where the funds are being pulled from for his salary worth over $1.5 million-per-season.
Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live with no ad breaks in play on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
Rugby Australia reportedly established a group in 2015 to fund community a high performance projects called the Rugby Foundation is paying a portion of the deal.
Meanwhile, the other half could be dependent on the size of the 15-man code’s next broadcast contract.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis also delivered another hammer blow to the rival code, revealing Suaalii will be returning to the Tricolours in 2028 after his three-year stint playing the 15-man game.
“It’s sad that we’ve lost him to union, but he tells us he’s coming back in 2028,” Politis told Channel 9.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
‘No pads, No helmets!’ NRL Vegas AD | 00:29
MORE NRL NEWS
WHISPERS: Tigers close in on Storm swap deal; Dragons snare forward amid targets
BRONCOS: What Kevvie needs to fix before cap bursts… and the stars he could target
RABBITOHS: Stark Wighton reality Latrell must face; halves dilemma set to erupt
‘ABSOLUTE RUBBISH’: Dolphins fume over NRL draw as ‘low blow’ revealed
That claim comes after reports Politis and the Roosters were reportedly angry with the way Suaalii and his agent Isaac Moses negotiated his rugby contract.
However, that bad blood has reportedly been squashed after the young gun sat down for a heart-to-heart chat with experienced coach Trent Robinson.
The Roosters had reportedly lost faith in Suaalii, but Robinson reportedly stuck by him and after a conversation which involved a tears, the outside back emerged a new player.
Suaalii reportedly explained he regretted how the situation unfolded, while Robinson told the young gun he never wanted to force him out of the club early.
The honest chat saw Suaalii’s form return, culminating in a strong end to the season with the Roosters who made a charge to the finals.
Discussion about this post