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Ex-Wallaby hits back at league and the Roosters 'fool' who opened his mouth
The war of words between rugby league and rugby union has escalated following Roosters star Joseph Suaalii’s high-profile defection with a three-year deal with Rugby Australia from 2025.
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As tensions rise, rugby league figure Phil Gould told Suaalii to pack his bags and leave the NRL now after making his decision, while Suaalii’s Roosters teammates offered their views in the press when asked on Sunday.
Former Waratah and 2014 Super Rugby winner Stephen Hoiles and former Wallaby Morgan Turinui have hit back at some of the commentary coming from league, particularly remarks made by Brandon Smith.
Hoiles believed that there is a lack of appreciation for union in this current generation of league players who have little respect for the game as a whole, including at the top level with the Wallabies.
“The league attack on Union from the players, that always irritates me,” he said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts podcast.
“As a boy growing up playing both [codes], we love our league, we watch it every week, we talk about it.
“When Australia play rugby league, I support the Kangaroos. I don’t think league guys are the same, they really dislike rugby union.
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“I don’t know why. It just seems like it is the cool thing to do is bag rugby. I found that ordinary, from a couple of the remarks.”
Ex-Wallaby Turinui took aim at Roosters hooker Brandon Smith for his comments made around how Rugby Australia could have made better use of the money spent on Suaalii.
The Roosters No 9 crassly predicted his own teammate would be of ‘no help’ in beating the All Blacks and the money is essential a waste.
“The Brandon Smith one was interesting, he’s almost rebuking his own’s teammates choice in life, it’s an old saying to paraphrase but Brandon Smith opens his mouth and confirms what we’ve always thought of him,” he said.
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“If you are a fool and can keep your mouth shut, you are better off doing that instead of opening it and confirming to everyone that you are.
“Let’s be frank, Jason Robinson wins a World Cup with England, league-convert, Lote Tuqiri is outstanding, league-convert, Dell [Sailor] does well, [Mat] Rogers does well.
“League converts have done well they’ve been successful against the All Blacks or whoever it is.
“The great thing about Joseph Suaalii is he’s a fine footballer who will make the Wallabies better.
“The great strength, and the great weakness, of Australian rugby is that the Wallabies make all the money, and that’s where it filters down to the grassroots.
“There has to be investment in that high profile programme to make sure there is funding to grassroots.
“As Super Rugby grows and stands on its own two feet more, then more money can be put to other parts of the game.
“I don’t think it is as simple as lets steal this money of the kids and put it over there.
“We’re not saying Brandon Smith’s $600k contract is taking money off the Paddo Colts. So why is it different in rugby?”
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments