Joseph Suaalii could earn extra $4 million in staggering new reveal about rugby contract

The young star signed a mega deal with rugby union and there is more to his contract than first thought.

Sports Reporter

Tue, 8 Oct 2024, 9:46 pm·3-min read

Former Roosters back Joseph Suaalii has reportedly got an option to earn up to $4 million in his Australia Rugby Union contract if he extends in a bid to keep him away from the NRL until 2030. Suaalii caused a stir earlier this year when opting to sign a reported $5.3 million, three-year deal with Rugby Australia.

The NRL has lost a talented youngster with the 20-year-old Roosters centre making his debut in State of Origin this year for NSW. And the young star is already touted to be joining the Wallabies for their upcoming UK tour as he prepares for life in the 15-man code.

Former Roosters back Joseph Suaalii (pictured right) has reportedly got an option to earn up to $4 million of he extends his Australia Rugby Union contract for another two years. (Getty Images) — Joseph Suaalii (pictured right) has reportedly got an option to earn up to $4 million if he extends his Australia Rugby Union contract for another two years. (Getty Images)

There has been plenty of speculation over whether Suaalii would return to the NRL after his mega three-year deal has ended. Although it appears he has a few reasons to stay with rugby union.

Sources told The Sydney Morning Herald there is a deal in Suaalii's contact that would allow him to earn up to $2 million a season if he extends until 2029. Suaalii is on a tiered contract and the extension would be worth the value he is earning on the final year of his contract, according to reports.

Suaalii is speculated to be on close to $2 million in his third-year, which would see him retain this figure if he opts to sign on for another two years. This figure shadows any current NRL contract with the highest-paid player, Kalyn Ponga, earning $1.4 million a year.

The 20-year-old was touted to return after the 2027 World Cup hosted in Australia. However, there appears to be a major incentive to remain with the Wallabies past his current deal. The Roosters recently agreed to release Suaalii early from his contract, ending on 31 October, so he could join the Wallabies camp in a bid to travel to the UK for the upcoming tour.

Sitili Tupouniua & Joseph Sua'alii celebrate a try. — Joseph Suaalii (pictured right) was released early from his Roosters contract to link up with the Wallabies camp.

Joseph Suaalii dismisses immediate NRL return

Earlier this year, Suaalii shut down suggestions he had already agreed to a return to the Roosters after his three-year deal. Suaalii made his debut at centre for NSW in State of Origin with many feeling it could entice him back to the code.

Although Suaalii quickly shut down the speculation and said he was looking forward to a return to rugby union, which he played at school level. "I've signed my deal there. I'm committed," Suaalii said ahead of his Origin debut.

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"I'm always up for a challenge and I always love learning different things - I don't want to be a one-trick pony. I want to learn different things and elevate my game to a point where when I finish my career I can sit down and say I gave it all."

Suaalii admitted he hasn't looked past his current deal, which comes to an end after the 2027 World Cup in Australia. "I do a lot of things with vision boards and stuff like that, but I haven't looked that far (ahead)," Suaalii said. "I can understand there are always opinions. (But) I've always loved both games. Anything with a footy in my hand I love playing."