Joseph Suaalii rejects talk of Roosters return as massive Dragons rumour comes to light

Joseph Suaalii has refuted claims he's agreed to return to the Roosters after making his big-money switch to rugby union from 2025. The 20-year-old's admission comes ahead of his State of Origin debut for the Blues on Wednesday night, with the St George Illawarra Dragons also emerging as the latest NRL club being linked with the young gun.

There were suggestions Suaalii's Origin selection for the Blues could convince him to stay in the NRL and turn his back on an eye-watering deal from Rugby Australia from 2025. Suaalii signed a massive three-year deal to join the rival rugby code from next season, for a figure reportedly worth more than $5 million. It will make him Australia’s highest-paid athlete across all football codes in 2025.

While Suaalii has shot down suggestions he could backflip on the decision to join the 15-a-side game, Fox League's James Hooper says the decision could be taken out of his hands. Hooper revealed on Triple M that rugby powerbrokers may not have the money to be able to afford Suaalii and that the cashed-up Dragons could pounce by offering him an avenue to remain in the NRL.

“There’s a crazy theory doing the rounds at the moment that Rugby Australia might not have the money to be able to pay Joseph Suaalii,” Hooper said on Triple M. “And as a result, the Dragons have built this war chest and are sitting in the background ready to strike.”

It comes after Suaalii was forced to squash recent reports that he'd agreed to rejoin the Roosters in 2028, at the conclusion of his three-year deal with Rugby Australia. “I honestly have not said anything," Suaalii told The Sydney Morning Herald. "(Roosters chairman) Nick (Politis) says that all the time, which is good to hear that he wants me at the club. He is a good man and I respect everything that he has done for me and the club – but I honestly have not looked that far ahead. I’m focused on playing for the Roosters and now for the Blues on Wednesday night.”

Joseph Suaalii relishing Origin debut ahead of rugby switch

NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire had no qualms about picking the 20-year-old for the Blues this year and many fans believed it could tempt Suaalii to remain in rugby league. But the NSW centre remains determined to make a successful transition to the 15-man code as he strives to emulate cross-code superstars such as Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams.

"I've signed my deal there. I'm committed," Suaalii said. "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."

Despite being unwavering on his decision to leave rugby league, Suaalii says representing his state and country is something he's dreamed of since he was a kid. And the Roosters livewire says he is honoured to be selected for the Blues and excited to make his debut on Wednesday night.

"I'm very driven. Ever since I was 12 or 13 I've always known what I want, and I know what it takes to get there," Suaalii said. "I always knew I wanted to debut (in the NRL) when I was 17. I wanted to play Origin one day in the Blues jumper. And I wanted to do a lot of things that the likes of Sonny Bill (Williams), and Israel Folau - the guys I looked up to as a young kid (did). It's always been a dream of mine to travel the world and play the home World Cup for the Wallabies, and the Lions tour."

with agencies