The Roosters and Rugby Australia have reportedly held shock talks regarding a potential loan deal for Joseph Suaalii to return to the NRL in 2026.
According to the SMH, Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh sat down for a meeting with Tricolours bosses last month.
RA were reportedly considering loaning the 21-year-old back to the Roosters in 2026, inbetween the 2015 British and Irish Lions tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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Suaalii is contracted with RA until the end of the 2027 tournament, but he reportedly also has a $4 million, two-year option in his favour for the 2028 and 2029 seasons.
According to Waugh, he entertained the idea after he was approached by officials of the Roosters, but the move didn’t go past preliminary discussions.
Any potential deal would have seen the Tricolours chip in to Suaalii’s mega $8.5 million, five-year contract for the time he spends away from the 15-man code.
However, the Roosters reportedly stopped their move after finding out about the two-year option in Suaalii’s favour.
His contract with the Tricolours reportedly sat at around $800,000 per-season, and the club reportedly weren’t willing to table a deal in excess of that to entice him to return.
Suaalii could reportedly still spent time away from Rugby Australia with an overseas franchise, potentially playing the 15-man code in France or Japan.
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The Roosters are reportedly confident Suaalii will take up the option in his favour, meaning he won’t be available to play NRL until at least 2030.
While the war between the codes wages on, Waugh was of the belief the two sports needed to keep a relationship.
“We need to coexist with rugby league,” he said.
“I’m less concerned about girls or boys playing league and AFL – as long as they are experiencing rugby.
“You’re not going to get me going head-to-head with Roosters and I think we can coexist successfully and have done since rugby league was started.”
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