Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is DECIDED in a secret meeting with Rugby Australia boss – despite promising the roosters are his ONLY focus until a bombshell is dropped after next season
- Suaalii met Hamish McLennan on Monday
- Rendezvous raises questions about commitment
- Roosters are already having a rough week
Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been caught secretly meeting with Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan in a move that will leave many fans wondering if he is 100 per cent focused on the NRL club.
Suaalii stunned the rugby league world when he defected to the rival code in March for a $1.6 million per season deal that will see him become one of Australia’s highest paid footballers when it comes to the end of the NRL season comes into force in 2024.
The 19-year-old was seen chatting with McLennan in a posh café in Sydney’s posh eastern suburbs on Wednesday morning, according to the Daily telegram.
The rugby supremo confirmed the encounter when the publication approached him for comment.
Suaalii (pictured playing Parramatta in round five) said the roosters were his ‘sole focus’ after news broke that he had signed a megabucks contract with rugby union
However, the secret meeting he had with Rugby Australia President Hamish McLennan (pictured) indicates he has more on his mind than helping his current team win the competition.
“Jeez, you have spies everywhere. We were just catching up,” he said.
Suaalii’s time with his future boss is sure to raise questions about his dedication to the roosters, especially given the comments he made when his passing became public.
“The Sydney Roosters have been wonderful to me and my family since I have been here and the club will always be a big part of me,” he said in a statement.
“There is still a long way to go in my journey with the Roosters and my only focus is on working hard every day to keep improving and fulfilling my role for the team.”
That position was echoed by Chooks coach Trent Robinson at the time.
“Joseph has been transparent with the club and we respect his decision,” he said.
“He has made crystal clear his commitment to the Roosters club for the next year and a half and we are excited about the path we are taking.”
Bulldogs boss and Channel Nine pundit Phil Gould insisted Suaalii should have left the NRL as soon as he signed for rugby union.
The 19-year-old’s defection stunned the footy world and saw Bulldogs boss Phil Gould call for him to leave the NRL immediately so he wouldn’t be a distraction.
News of the secret meeting comes during a difficult week for Roosters coach Trent Robinson (pictured), who was convinced Suaalii was fully committed to the club until the end of 2024, when news of his switch to rugby became official.
He scores a try every time. Every time he does something in our game, people will refer to him going to rugby,” he said.
“Why do we need that? Go now. Don’t let the door slam your ass when you go out. To go. Go now. Away. He has made his decision. You sign a rugby contract 18 months before his league contract expires.’
The secret tryst comes during an already difficult week for the Roosters.
Robinson shocked many fans and pundits when he dropped halfback Sam Walker to the reserve spot after last week’s loss to Cronulla dropped his highly sought after side to ninth on the ladder with just three wins from the first seven rounds of the season.
In better news for the Tricolours, Representative back rower Angus Crichton returns for Tuesday’s ANZAC Day clash with St George after missing the first weeks of their campaign following his bipolar diagnosis.