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Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui believes Joseph Suaalii will justify his hefty price tag after his blockbuster code switch was confirmed on Saturday night.
Nine’s Danny Weidler reported that Suaalii would be “catapulted” straight into the Wallabies squad for their 2024 spring tour of the northern hemisphere and be a “headline act” for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
“There must have been a lot of money on offer because it’s not often that Nick Politis will lose a player that he wants to keep,” Weidler said.
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Suaalii tipped to be Wallabies ‘superstar’
”There’s rumours that it could have been around $2 million a season to get him to cross codes.”
Rugby Australia nearly went broke during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic but will get a huge cash injection from the Lions tour and home World Cup.
“Well done Rugby Australia, got their man, went out and got the job done,” Turinui said on Nine and Stan Sport’s Super Rugby Pacific coverage.
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“It wasn’t easy to do I’m sure and good money but I think he’s going to be worth it. I’ve seen a lot of his play at The King’s School, coming through, loves to play fullback, is a great winger. He’s a great kid.
“They did their due diligence. They’re getting a great human being as well, across to rugby. Can’t wait to see him. If you see quality you’ve got to pay for it.”
Dual international Allana Ferguson agreed.
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“He’s an excitement machine in the last couple of years, what we’ve seen him do within the NRL but certainly coming through the pathways of rugby, great buy and very exciting times for rugby union,” Ferguson said.
Turinui added that Reds and Wallabies star Jordan Petaia would now be feeling the heat.
“This Suaalii news puts a bit more pressure on him because he was on that kind of trajectory before all the injuries.”
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