Triple M’s and Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has labelled Rugby Australia’s signing of Joseph Suaalii as a “band-aid solution,” declaring the code’s governing body is at risk of annoying its loyal players.
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Rugby Australia on Saturday pulled off the coup of the year when it was confirmed that 19-year-old Suaalii, one of the NRL’s top-rising prospects, will join the 15-man code at the end of 2024 on a mega three-year deal worth $1.6million per season.
While Tallis likened RA’s coup to the infamous poaching raid of Wendell Sailor, Matt Rogers and Lote Tuqiri, the Broncos great said he fears how Suaalii’s signing will be perceived by “loyal” union players.
“Imagine you’re a young kid and you’re coming through and wanting to play rugby union, you’ve been loyal… trained really hard for this moment and they’ve (Rugby Australia) signed a leaguey,” Tallis said on Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.
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