The war of words between rugby union and rugby league has continued after Joseph Suaalii’s code switch, with the Rugby Australia boss labelling the NRL “cry-babies”.
After months of speculation, Suaalii’s future was confirmed at the weekend, with the 19-year-old signing a three-year deal with Rugby Australia which will commence in October 2024.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys took a swipe at Rugby Australia after Suaalii’s deal, suggesting Suaalii would get “terribly bored” of playing for the Wallabies.
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Suaalii’s Roosters teammate Brandon Smith also took a jab at his friend’s deal, saying he would not help the Wallabies beat the All Blacks.
However, Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan returned serve to the jabs coming from the NRL, saying the league’s reaction to Suaalii’s defection has been “hysterical”.
“They’re cry babies,” he told ABC Sport Daily.
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“So, they’ve lost their rising star, their talent. Joseph has made the choice. I think they should respect his choice and they’re attacking his age and having a swing.
“The reality is, our guys travel the world. The current Wallaby crop will be playing at the third-biggest sporting event (Rugby World Cup) in France … our players get life experience that you wouldn’t get anywhere.”
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Suaalii is set to earn $1.6 million per season on his deal with Rugby Australia, and McLennan defended the massive pay packet.
“We’re happy to pay our players well,” he said.
“That’s a good thing if you want to come and play rugby because you get to travel the world and you will be looked after by us at the elite level.
“But if we sell our media rights for more, we’ll have more money to put back into grassroots, so this is a strategy that will work and the public need to understand that.”
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