Joseph Suaalii to make code switch after signed by Rugby Australia and Waratahs
Joseph Suaalii will join Waratahs from NRL side Sydney Roosters
©PA
Rugby Australia and Waratahs have jointly announced that National Rugby League star Joseph Sua'ali'i will be joining the Super Rugby club at the end of 2024.
The 19-year-old, who was touted as a rugby prodigy since his schooling time has been on the target of the RA for a long time and now they have managed to secure his service until 2027 Rugby World Cup after signing a three-year multi-million contract.
With his move to Waratahs, Sua'ali'i will be eligible to represent the Wallabies and is expected to be fast tracked by head coach Eddie Jones for the end of the year series in 2024.
“Rugby Australia (RA) and the NSW Waratahs today announced that they have signed Joseph Suaalii from October 2024 until at least the end of 2027,” the statement read from the RA.
“Per RA policy, terms of the contract were not announced.
“Growing up in Penrith, Joseph Suaalii was a schoolboy rugby prodigy for The King’s School, representing the GPS 1st XV as well as NSW and Australian Schoolboys in rugby sevens. He also played rugby for Penrith RSL, Eastwood and Northern Barbarians.”
Sua'ali'i, who also had played for Samoa in rugby league has been contracted to Sydney Roosters until 2024 with his management on Saturday afternoon confirming that he would not be continuing with the club for the 2025 season.
“The management of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii have informed the Sydney Roosters that he will be departing the club at the end of his current contract term,” a statement from the Roosters said.
“Suaalii is contracted to the Roosters until the conclusion of the 2024 NRL season.”
Suaalii thanked the Roosters for their support over the years and is hoping to sign off with them on a high when his contract expires next year.
“The Sydney Roosters have been great to me and my family since I got here and the club is always going to be a big part of me. There’s still a long way to go in my journey with the Roosters and my sole focus is on working hard every day to keep improving and performing my role for the team," he said.
