Wallabies legend David Campese slammed Rugby Australia (RA) for their big-money signing of rugby league sensation Joseph Suaalii.
RA reportedly tabled $4.8 million to coax the 19-year-old to switch to rugby union in a three-year deal from 2024 that was announced earlier this week.
Suaalii is a talented star with impressive experience for a player his age after representing the Sydney Roosters on 27 occasions and Samoa at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
The starlet’s switch is the first of the Eddie Jones era, as the Wallabies head coach has been known to invite players to the 15-man game.
Sending the wrong message
Campese, however, feels the move sends a bad message to youngsters in rugby union.
“Think of what rugby union could do in pathways with the money they are spending on one player,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
“This is the reason we’ve been losing kids to rugby league for years … there has been no investment in juniors.
“They say Suaalii will be paid almost $5 million over three years – imagine what you could do in junior development and schools with that sort of money.”
News Corp reported that RA could have snapped up Suaalii for a much cheaper figure years before but rejected the offer. Campese underlined the issues with money in rugby union’s developmental stages.
“If we had the right systems in place, players like Joseph would have stayed in union in the first place,” Campese said.
“Now we’re spending all the cash to get him back.
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“That’s why we’re exposed to NRL clubs. There is no money for rugby union kids.
“Why aren’t we looking after our own?
“If you don’t have the foundations, you can’t build a house.”
Impact on young stars in union
The great wing feels for up-and-coming stars such as Max Jorgensen, who have used the traditional pathways to get their chance.
“I hear he’s a very good player,” he said.
“But how does Max Jorgensen feel? How do the other best young players feel?”
Meanwhile, Sydney Roosters star Brandon Smith took a swipe at the situation, commenting on the impending departure of his teammate.
“That $1.6 million could have been spent better on the grassroots of rugby than grabbing our beautiful young Suaalii … a $1.6 million winger from the Roosters isn’t going to help (the Wallabies) beat the All Blacks,” he said.