League great Andrew Johns has warned the NRL not to offer extra compensation to players who are chased by rival codes, saying it sets a “dangerous precedent”.
Roosters phenom Joseph Suaalii looks set to be the latest NRL star to be poached, with Rugby Australia reportedly willing to offer him a two-year deal worth over $1 million per season.
Johns has described Suaalii as a generational talent, but warned the NRL not to dip into its own pockets to help keep him from switching codes.
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“No, that sets a dangerous precedent. If they chip in you know what happens then? What message does it send to the managers?,” he asked on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
“Every player would have a rugby union contract just dangling in front of them,” Roosters great Brad Fittler added.
While NRL bosses would no doubt love to keep the 19-year-old in rugby league, Johns said there was enough talent coming through to make up for a void Suaalii would leave behind.
“There’s plenty more talent to come through, every year we see it,” he said.
“There’s an abundance of talent, especially in the outside back (position). The best athletes generally play league or AFL.
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“I guarantee he’ll come back at some stage, they all come back. Wendell (Sailor), Lote (Tuqiri), Mat Rogers, Sam (Burgess), Sonny (Bill Williams), they all came back.
“I wish him good luck on the world stage, but I can guarantee he’ll be back. Maybe a nice house on Merewether beach for him playing for Newcastle when he comes back.
“Another Joey in Newcastle.”
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