Waratahs 2023

[qwerty51]

Ideally 2024 would have been great, but I think the outclauses were specific for 2025 onwards. Regardless, if outliers can come straight out of school and make the Tahs/Reds, and be in the Wallabies a year later I have no doubt a player like him with 3 years in the NRL plus very likely Origin and Kangaroos experience by then, and add a full season of Soup, I don't think it will be an issue.

The outclause was for 2024 but he recently opted in for that year (only).

 

[cyclopath]

Maybe is @cyclopath

I'll chip in some Dogecoin

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I'll chip in some Dogecoin

I’ll match but just give me some time. Haven’t been able to get hold of SBF

 

[Lindommer]

The fact Sua'ali'i chose to sit out his final TWO years at King's is a major stumbling block for me. At that age young blokes should be playing (and learning) every game they can. He is still somewhat of an unknown in rugby.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

The fact Sua'ali'i chose to sit out his final TWO years at King's is a major stumbling block for me. At that age young blokes should be playing (and learning) every game they can. He is still somewhat of an unknown in rugby.

Really? I get what you're saying and its completely applicable to 99% of footballers but it's not as if he wasnt playing any footy. He just chose to prioritise his professional future (which is working out). He was training with Souths NRL squad while in High School. I reckon he would learn more and develop faster than School Boy Rugby.

 

[Marce]

The fact Sua'ali'i chose to sit out his final TWO years at King's is a major stumbling block for me. At that age young blokes should be playing (and learning) every game they can. He is still somewhat of an unknown in rugby.

What do u mean?

King's doesnt have a League team. Isn't it? So maybe he wants to be a Wallaby due to the traditional school where he played, which is famous for producing 28 Wallabies.

 

[Derpus]

What do u mean?

King's doesnt have a League team. Isn't it? So maybe he wants to be a Wallaby due to the traditional school where he played, which is famous for producing 28 Wallabies.

Pretty sure he played league as a kid and was forced to play a couple years Union purely because he went to said school.

His manager is a notorious wind up merchant and Sua'ali'i is both primarily a league player and outside RAs pay scale.

We should move on.

 

[Wallaby Man]

Pretty sure he played league as a kid and was forced to play a couple years Union purely because he went to said school.

His manager is a notorious wind up merchant and Sua'ali'i is both primarily a league player and outside RAs pay scale.

We should move on.

Saw interview with him recently and this is exactly what happened. Was a league junior that went to a rugby school.

I’d say a large portion of our Super Rugby player did exactly the same. Tim Horan was a league kid that went to a rugby school.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Pretty sure he played league as a kid and was forced to play a couple years Union purely because he went to said school.

His manager is a notorious wind up merchant and Sua'ali'i is both primarily a league player and outside RAs pay scale.

We should move on.

This is the biggest problem moving forward. Isaac Moses, right? The bloke seems difficult for organisations to deal with but he does get the $ for his clients.

The design of Sua'ali'i contracts do concern me. Not as if RA hold the bargaining power. His talent is worth the pain IMO

 

[Marce]

Pretty sure he played league as a kid and was forced to play a couple years Union purely because he went to said school.

His manager is a notorious wind up merchant and Sua'ali'i is both primarily a league player and outside RAs pay scale.

We should move on.

Yeah, we have lived in a lie. I'm just trying to align his future in rugby

 

[Marce]

Saw interview with him recently and this is exactly what happened. Was a league junior that went to a rugby school.

I’d say a large portion of our Super Rugby player did exactly the same. Tim Horan was a league kid that went to a rugby school.

 

[qwerty51]

The fact Sua'ali'i chose to sit out his final TWO years at King's is a major stumbling block for me. At that age young blokes should be playing (and learning) every game they can. He is still somewhat of an unknown in rugby.

He has more time in rugby than Folau had.

 

[Doritos Day]

The fact Sua'ali'i chose to sit out his final TWO years at King's is a major stumbling block for me. At that age young blokes should be playing (and learning) every game they can. He is still somewhat of an unknown in rugby.

It was clearly a good choice for him though? He didn't get injured at school, got an early start in the NRL and is playing really well.

Will happen more and more as blue chip prospects look at what's going on in the US.

 

[Tah Man]

Pretty sure he played league as a kid and was forced to play a couple years Union purely because he went to said school.

His manager is a notorious wind up merchant and Sua'ali'i is both primarily a league player and outside RAs pay scale.

We should move on.

Nah thats not quite correct.

He played a lot of junior Rugby before School. There's photos of him running around in an Eastwood jersey in like under 10s

 

[fatprop]

It was clearly a good choice for him though? He didn't get injured at school, got an early start in the NRL and is playing really well.

Will happen more and more as blue chip prospects look at what's going on in the US.

He was being paid by Souths under a development deal

My concern with him is that he wasn't bothered to provide some commitment to Souths despite their investment, took the bigger, better deal with the roosters and is now in news constantly about other offers.

Why would you want the invest in him? If he signed, the following day there would likely be new rumours about him going elsewhere weekly for the length of his contract

 

[qwerty51]

Players like him aren't investments, this is pro sport, you build a roster to win.

The immediate benefit when he's on the rugby books, is wins.

 

[Derpus]

Players like him aren't investments, this is pro sport, you build a roster to win.

The immediate benefit when he's on the rugby books, is wins.

Is he that good? He's certainly not got the runs on the board Folau did when he came over (via AFL).

 

[qwerty51]

I think he's better than Folau because he's got a playmaking background, I would be shocked if he doesn't get some time at fullback before he moves over too. They both have similar aerial skills. Folau came over at 24 and had purely been a winger/centre. Suaaliii would be 22.

He will play origin this year and he was Samoa's best player at the RLWC last year (a big reason they made the final). I wouldn't say he won't have the runs on board when he switches over, he'll have played more Tests and Origins than Folau did and more NRL matches.

 

[KOB1987]

The fact Sua'ali'i chose to sit out his final TWO years at King's is a major stumbling block for me. At that age young blokes should be playing (and learning) every game they can. He is still somewhat of an unknown in rugby.

It wasn't a choice, he was signed on a pro contract and it was part of the deal. The analogy is Hugh Bowman when he was at school was able to do his apprenticeship with Gai Waterhouse as his sporting option even though it wasn't an official sports choice. There are other examples in sailing and golf as well. I know what you are saying re not playing rugby in those final 2 years but at least he is playing in the positions that are the most similar between the 2 codes, I don't see an issue with him converting back.

 

[qwerty51]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1639091141227454465

Kayo is reporting this as a done deal? Looks like DT is too.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...5/news-story/fa80e9d12944c1bfc273bd17448bbbd0