Australian Rugby / RA

[KOB1987]

He doesn't have a manager, apparently, which is both pleasing and concerning. I think RA's comments have been pretty sensible so far, but I agree, it would be best to just shut up now and do the deal behind closed doors.

We've been told that he doesn't have one and his parents are looking after him.

I missed that bit. Well I don't think RA would be trying to push up his price, they referred to the hype around the silly money as coming from the 'usual suspects'. Which I presumed to be his manager, or perhaps someone wanting to be his manager? Anyways, I agree he's 16 so let the fun continue behind closed doors, I'm really only concerned about what he does in the sky blue, and the gold.

 

[KOB1987]

Yeah, the 3 million is only being reported by a couple of league journos, all the rugby (and a few league) writers have the rugby offer at around 200,000-300,000 a season, significantly less than south's $1.7 million over 3 years.

If he has come over to rugby it's because of the Olympics and the chance to play super rugby this year, and then maybe someone in league (probably at souths) is pissed that they lost him and trying to cover their arse by stirring the pot, making rugby look bad.

that is a distinct possibility, if they have actually lost him. I wonder though if that 200-300K is only the cost to RA, a 3rd party sponsor can be pitching in and RA don't have to report it.

 

[wamberal]

Maybe the kid is mature enough to take the long view. He might earn a motza playing for Souffs for a few years. Come to rugby and he can build a lifetime of real financial and sporting success. Nothing beats excelling on the international stage - not that I have any first hand knowledge, I hasten to add. But just have a look at the careers of former league stars, and compare them with former rugby interntionals.

 

[John S]

In the fox article Fred Fittler said he should make up his mind based on what he loves playing, and not the money. Most sensible thing I've heard in the media about this (and from an ex-league player)

 

[Derpus]

Maybe the kid is mature enough to take the long view. He might earn a motza playing for Souffs for a few years. Come to rugby and he can build a lifetime of real financial and sporting success. Nothing beats excelling on the international stage - not that I have any first hand knowledge, I hasten to add. But just have a look at the careers of former league stars, and compare them with former rugby interntionals.

My play in the current environment would be: Start small in union - secure an international starting spot and play at a RWC. I'd then cash in and move to France or Japan (preferably Japan - they work you too hard in France).

I'd then spend the second half of my career playing easy rugby for easy money. I wouldn't mess around with league or international rugby as the physicality would shorten your career.

 

[Dan54]

He doesn't have a manager, apparently, which is both pleasing and concerning. I think RA's comments have been pretty sensible so far, but I agree, it would be best to just shut up now and do the deal behind closed doors.

Amen to that Rob, I think that should be the case in all dealings!

 

[Adam84]

I feel sorry for the kid.. at 16 my biggest issue was whether I should keep my $10/hr job at Maccas or go for $14/hr at BigW night shift.

 

[Derpus]

I feel sorry for the kid.. at 16 my biggest issue was whether I should keep my $10/hr job at Maccas or go for $14/hr at BigW night shift.

How good was the Big W night shift. Did that for a few years.

 

[Wilson]

that is a distinct possibility, if they have actually lost him. I wonder though if that 200-300K is only the cost to RA, a 3rd party sponsor can be pitching in and RA don't have to report it.

There's a an art dealer who is a mad keen Souths fan Steve Nasteski who has been positioning himself as Sua'ali'i's adviser, though he may not actually be that close/influential.

I know where I would put my money on the 3 million number coming from.

As far as the 200-300 being the RA contribution vs whole package I guess we can't know but my suspicion (based entirely on gut feel) is that it's nearer to the whole package.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Joseph comes from a great family and humble guy - prefect for rugby with his talent - welcome aboard Joseph I don’t think you would regret your decision given what rugby can offer you

 

[Wilson]

Posted this in the Super thread because of the contracting freeze being lifted but realised it probably make more sense here:

Word is the contract freeze has been lifted:

When contacted by The Weekend Australian on Friday, Rugby Australia said the “freeze” would be formally relaxed and an email had already been sent to Super Rugby executives stating that player contracting could start up again. Player agents are yet to be informed the freeze will be lifted.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...r/news-story/2afdc9574ead3d7b6524f861e5f20925

Not sure if this means there's more confidence around next year's model, a reaction to the blow back from all the press around Sua'ali'i or just the simple need to start contracting again or risk loosing too many players overseas. Probably some combination of the the 3.

The article also goes into where Sua'ali'i sits if he's on the $3 million or if he's on the $1.7 million, but given it's in the vein of Halloran's other attack pieces it doesn't really mention where he sits if he's on the 200-300k reported elsewhere. It does give a general salary range across the RA contracted players though, and it's clear he'd come in below the lower end of that, about 100-200k less than Maddocks, Banks and Tom Wright:

Wallabies candidates Jack Maddocks, Tom Banks and Tom Wright are understood to be on wages just below $400,000.

Honestly I wonder if the article has confused Tom and Liam Wright here, it seems more likely that Liam is on wallabies money than Tom, all things considered. It does seem high for either though.

That seems fairly reasonable given his potential. I do agree with point made that they should be directing more top end money towards a couple of locks, though if Sua'ali'i is on the lower figure reported it's a furphy to suggest he's getting money that should be going to them

 

[RugbyReg]

check the author. Seems some more leaks from her RUPA connection next door

 

[young gun]

check the author. Seems some more leaks from her RUPA connection next door

She says in her article "one Wallaby, who refuses to be named, says blah blah" Well, I guess Harrison was a Wallaby, can't take that away from him.

 

[Rebels3]

Article out tonight saying the contract freeze is over and teams can start signing again. Also the Sua'ali'i offer is around 15% of the rumored amount and all of it comes from the fighting fund. The deal is rumored to only be for 18months, I guess they can entice him over without the long term commitment and he can easily go back to league if the pro game here falls apart. I think this is smart business

 

[KOB1987]

On the reported NRL offer of $1.7m over 3 years, as he can't play till he is 18 you'd think it would have to be weighted towards 2022 and 2023. If I'm right there that probably brings the appeal of the Olympics and being able to play for the Tahs next year to the forefront. On an 18 months deal he is really only forgoing the big money for 6 months, which is going to amount to SFA over the course of his career.

 

[Slim 293]

The good and the bad.........

Australian rugby is set to re-sign Brumbies speedster and former Sea Eagles playmaker Tom Wright as Wallabies duty looms for the in-form winger.

The Herald can reveal that while rugby has lost out to Manly in the fight for gun Sydney schoolboy Tolu Koula and is also losing hope of securing the services of 16-year-old phenomenon Joseph Sua'ali'i, it does expect to notch a win with Wright's signature on a new two-year deal.

The 22-year-old has carved up for the Brumbies in both Super Rugby seasons this year and sources close to the player say Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has him firmly in his plans for this year's Test schedule.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said the deal to retain Wright was all but done in March when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing negotiations to a halt.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sp...-as-Sua'ali'i-slips-away-20200726-p55fjw.html

 

[Blackadder]

joseph Sua'ali'i is signing with Souths. Not coming to union.

Source Telegraph

 

[Jets]

Did we really expect anything different? I actually think it'll be the best for his development. Hopefully when the three years are up Rugby will be in a better position to attract him.

 

[Rebels3]

The article its announced on is read like he’s rejecting $3m from RA to take a smaller deal in the NRL, whereas RA and numerous other sources have said it’s been dramatically less than what Souths are offering. For anyone that still believes there isn’t inbuilt rhetoric towards the game, they just need to have seen how this has been reported all week from the usual stooges

 

[KOB1987]

joseph Sua'ali'i is signing with Souths. Not coming to union.

Source Telegraph

The article its announced on is read like he’s rejecting $3m from RA to take a smaller deal in the NRL, whereas RA and numerous other sources have said it’s been dramatically less than what Souths are offering. For anyone that still believes there isn’t inbuilt rhetoric towards the game, they just need to have seen how this has been reported all week from the usual stooges

Yeah, I can't read the full article as it's paywalled but it's been out for over an hour and not even the Twitterverse has picked up on it. From the little bit I can see it just looks like more spin.

I'm in no way saying that isn't going to be the outcome, just that the article looks like a space filler.