Joseph Suaalii’s 2023 NRL season has gotten off to a shaky start playing ten games in centres for a struggling Sydney Roosters outfit.
The 19-year-old’s slow start comes as a surprise considering his stellar performance in 2022 playing predominantly on the wing, scoring 15 times in 11 appearances.
Suaalii was rewarded with a spot on the extended bench for NSW and touted as one of the game’s elite finishers on the wing.
An injury crisis forced coach Trent Robinson’s hand to shift Suaalii to the centres but SEN’s Greg Alexander believes the move has all but ruled him out of contention for NSW Blues selection in this year’s State of Origin.
“I agree, he’s a better winger a much better winger, he is a much better winger than he is a centre,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“(He’s) not even in the conversation, but if he was playing on the wing (it would be different)… he was in camp with us last year, he was close to playing last year (for NSW).
“He hasn’t forgotten how to play, he’s in the wrong position and I think that’s hurting him and I think it’s hurting the Roosters as well.”
The stunning drop of form for Suaalii not only coincides with a change of position but also comes with a ramp-up of rumours suggesting Rugby Australia is desperately trying to get him out of his Roosters’ deal early.
Suaalii’s coach Trent Robinson denied any of these rumours and reaffirmed his commitment to the club, whilst stating the club wouldn’t release him early.
“He won’t be (leaving early), those reports haven’t come from inside this club, that’s been speculation outside, it hasn’t been discussed inside this club,” Robinson said at a press conference.
“So that scrutiny is on him, he has to perform, and we have to perform. As far as putting pressure about whether he is going to be here or not is unfair.
“That hasn’t come from inside these walls. But it applies a blow torch to all of us that I need to coach him better and he needs to play a bit better.”
Suaalii will depart the Roosters at the end of the 2024 season where he will link up with the NSW Waratahs in the Rugby Union.