Rugby news | $1.6 million price tag for Joseph Suaalii ‘a smart figure’ for Rugby Australia
5 min read
Another huge weekend of Super Rugby Pacific is in the books with the Melbourne Rebels securing a huge upset against an Aussie side.
There was plenty to talk about, including the star signing of Joseph Suaalii whose $1.6 million price tag for the 19-year-old raised eyebrows everywhere.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
HE’S BACK
It’s the player-signing that dominated chat, interest, cross-code shots and headlines across recent weeks and it’s showing no signs of quietening down.
The freakish Joseph Suaalii is coming back to rugby on a reported $1.6 million per year.
Some in rugby might baulk at the amount, but if you take a look at the highest-paid players in the NRL, by the time 2025 rolls around it will be almost spot on.
Kalyn Ponga is currently at $1.4 million a season with the Newcastle Knights. If you adjust that in line with potential wage increases across league between now and 2025 then the number crunchers at Rugby Australia have found a smart figure for Suaalii.
What is irrefutable about signings like Suaalii and Eddie Jones is the impact they have on media presence and connection to casual sports fans. Both worth their weight and some.
ROMANIAN REBEL
You may or may not have heard this in coverage from Tim Horan on Saturday night, but it’s worth repeating.
Melbourne Rebels centre David Feliuai came out firing against the Queensland Reds, knocking down blokes with and without the ball and threatening with every touch.
Timmy went on to explain that Feliuai had been playing in the Romanian domestic league with Baia Mare which sits in the subregion of Transylvania. Yep, Transylvania.
From there he joined Sunnybank in Brisbane where Timmy says he scored tries for fun last year.
He’ll put more on the board in Super Rugby Pacific if he keeps carrying like he did at AAMI as well.
One of the other big performances came From import Vaiolini Ekuasi who this column predicted would be a star weeks ago.
Still in Melbourne, and while they may only have two wins from five starts, they’re playing some of the most entertaining footy in the comp.
It’s certainly the best they’ve looked in a couple of years.
Waratahs blitz Force in Super W opener
HALSE OF FAME
The Super W got rolling on the weekend with stylish wins to Fijiana, Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.
The big story out of the Waratahs’ win was the performance of Caitlyn Halse who became the club’s youngest ever player at 16 years, six months, and six days.
The teenager was unbelievable from full back, kicking long, chiming into the line smartly and assisting in a couple of tries.
Halse was always set for big things showing huge promise against the boys out in Picton from an early age.
Here’s Caitlyn speaking with the Macarthur Chronicle waaaaaaay back in 2016.
« My mum and dad often flip my plait up into my head gear so people don’t know if I’m a boy or a girl, » she said.
« I like to see their surprise when I take it off after a game.
« Give it a go and try your best. Don’t listen to any negative comments.
« Girls are just as skilled as boys. »
Amen to that, 10-year-old Caitlyn Halse. Amen to that!
HONG KONG HOFF
The Hong Kong Sevens are set for play again this weekend with the Australian men looking to defend their title on the Island and the women getting their first ever look at the game’s showpiece.
It’s hard to describe the anarchy of the weekend and the events leading up to it, you haven’t seen it all until you’ve done a Hong Kong Sevens.
On that note, I want to re-share a story from a few years back when David Hasselhoff of Baywatch fame was booked to perform in front of the South Stand. The appearance very nearly didn’t take place after a slip-up at his hotel that morning.
Colleague Steve Hoiles happened to be at breakfast at the same time as ‘The Hoff’ when all hell broke loose.
« I was sitting there and everything was fine until ‘The Hoff’ just started screaming… ‘ooooohhh the spice! The spice! It’s so spicy! Why is it so spicy?’, » he recalled.
« Turned out Hasselhoff had chomped into the wrong dumpling and was allergic to hot food.
« His face turned redder than the buoy he used to carry and people came running from everywhere with wet towels.’
« That was the end of breakfast, but he was very good at the stadium. »
GETTING LAPPED
Friend of Between Two Posts and Rugby nut Tyson Flynn is currently swimming up a storm for Mental Health in the Nation’s Capital.
He’s bashing out laps all through March aiming to raise funds for an area that still needs lots of focus.
Almost there mate, you can donate here I’M SWIMMING TO SAVE LIVES 🏊
Did you know suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia?
That means that each year more young people die by suicide than in car accidents or from cancer.
This March, I’m swimming to make sure young people in Australia have the mental health support they urgently need.
By sponsoring my challenge, you’ll be helping to prevent youth suicide.
All funds raised will help young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they’re facing.
See you on Between Two Posts tonight with Morgs and Hoilesy.
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