Former World Cup captain Stirling Mortlock has questioned Rugby Australia’s multi-million-dollar investment in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, believing the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
While Mortlock accepts Suaalii’s class can’t be doubted, the ex-Bledisloe Cup hero has been left bewildered by the eye-watering contract offered to the teenager, reported at $1.6 million a season from late 2024 until 2027.
Like Suaalii, Mortlock is a King’s School alumni and knows what RA is acquiring in the code-hopping prodigy.
“Look, there’s no doubt he’s a weapon. Even when he was playing under-16s, you could see he was a freakish talent and a class above the others,” Mortlock told AAP.
“But $1.6 million per annum? That could have kept 19 or 20 other players in the system.”
Mortlock isn’t the only sceptic regarding RA’s coup.
The 19-year-old’s signing announcement coincided with Friday’s 50th anniversary of the first Australian schoolboys tour and was a hot topic of conversation at the charity luncheon marking the occasion.
Other players privately wondered whether snaring Suaalii at seemingly any cost was as much a power play for RA in its ongoing battle with the NRL as a recruitment strike.
However, RA’s finances will soon be recharged, with the organisation on the cusp of a historic private equity deal that will be felt at all levels of the game.
Suaalii’s commitment will effectively add value to that transaction, while his signing has again launched the code into the headlines, just as Eddie Jones’ coaching return did in January.
On board with the move, Waratahs and Wallabies forward Jed Holloway was happy to return serve after Roosters star Brandon Smith jibed “a $1.6 million winger from the Roosters isn’t going to help you beat the All Blacks”.
“I saw that. I just reckon Joseph wants to do more travel than the east coast of Australia,” the second-rower smirked to reporters on Monday, selling rugby’s global nature.
“It’s good to see rugby in the headlines again, creating a bit of controversy.
“I was in the squad when Izzy (Folau) got announced; I think I was only 19 at the time.
“I remember going home and being so excited one of my heroes was coming over to rugby union.
“Joseph’s kind of the same age as a lot of the young guys here, but he has that presence and aura around his name.”
Neither Holloway nor Queensland Reds backrower Fraser McReight believed there was resentment of the big-money recruit within the rugby fraternity.
“Personally, I don’t feel conflicted at all,” said McReight, who recently extended his contract with RA until 2025.
“You hear things in the locker room but from all reports it is positive and I assume that comes from a place of competitiveness and the great buzz (it’s created) in Australian rugby.
“If we’re trying to be competitive and push the boundaries, I think that’s good for the game.”
