Rugby Australia accused of showing a lack of class
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has rubbished reports Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could be released to rugby union a year early while lashing Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan for recent comments about the club’s salary cap.
In March, Suaalii signed a three-year, $4.8 million contract to switch codes from 2025, eyeing the chance to represent the Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions and at the World Cup two years later in 2027.
The contract, richer per season than any in NRL history, has since become the subject of protracted media and public interest.
The Roosters had originally been adamant Suaalii would honour the final year-and-a-half of his NRL deal but with the 19-year-old down on form, reports emerged this week the Tricolours could save around $700,000 by releasing him at the end of 2023.
Suaalii’s future Super Rugby club the NSW Waratahs indicated this week they would be open to welcoming the young gun from 2024 if financial speci fics could be ironed out.
Roosters chair Nick Politis deferred the final say in Suaalii’s contract situation to Robinson, who shut down rumours of an early switch on Thursday.
“He won’t be (released early),” Robinson said.
“Those reports haven’t come from inside this club. That’s been speculation outside. It’s not even been a discussion inside this club.”
Speaking to News Corp this week, RA boss McLennan questioned whether salary cap issues were behind reports the Roosters wanted to offload Suaalii early.
Robinson took exception to the jibe, the latest entry into a public and increasingly childish war of words between the codes.
“He’s doing that for certain reasons,” Robinson said.
“I can imagine rugby people aren’t excited about the way that’s been handled either.
“There’s usually a bit more class in the discussions and all of that. I don’t really want to get into it. I’ve got my job to do here.”
Ahead of Friday’s clash against Penrith, Robinson stressed the distinction between interest in Suaalii’s form and ongoing commentary about his future.
“We play a game that is televised and we get to do what we do because people have opinions on it,” he said.
“That scrutiny and that interest is on him and he has to perform.
“As far as putting pressure on about whether he’s going to be here or not, I feel like that’s unfair. Because that hasn’t come from inside these walls.”
Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai doubted whether the headlines would be impacting his Samoan international teammate.
“Knowing how much of a professional he is, I don’t think much gets to him,” Luai said.
“He’s got a good support group as well. Obviously some things have happened where he’s leaving the game (at the end of) next year, so I think that’s why he’s targeted a bit.
“He’s going to be on this weekend and he’s a big focus point for us as well to win this game this week.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments