BREAKING THE AGE BARRIER
THE NRL will consider scrapping age restrictions on teenagers that will allow $2 million rookie Joseph Suaalii to make his NRL debut for South Sydney next year at 17.
It comes after Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe used a private plane to jet Suaalii, his family and South Sydney bosses to his house near Coffs Harbour last week in an attempt to keep him at the Rabbitohs.
Suaalii on Monday turned his back on rugby union’s offer and the chance to win an Olympic gold medal to stick with the Rabbitohs. He could now debut in the opening round of 2021.
The NRL wants to change the age rule introduced 10 years ago that a player cannot debut until they turn 18.
Suaalii only turns 17 on Saturday and was facing a season in SG Ball competition.
“You’ve got to be agile and be ready for every challenge that’s thrown at you,” said independent commission boss Peter V’landys.
A secret meeting at Crowe’s multimillion-dollar property in Nana Glen may have helped seal the deal with Suaalii.
Last week Rugby Australia seemed to have had the inside running, with the lure of playing for Olympic gold in Rugby Sevens in Tokyo understood to be a drawcard for Suaalii. Rugby union had also offered him the opportunity to play straight away this year for the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
Suaalii can now do a full pre-season and start in Round 1 for the Rabbitohs.
Jordan Rankin was the youngest player of the NRL era to debut at 16 years and 238 days.
A number of great players started out at 17 including Jason Taumalolo, Wade Graham and Karmichael Hunt.
V’landys has written to Souths chief executive Blake Solly to say he is on the case.
The Suaalii deal is worth $2 million over three years from next season at South.
V’landys will speak to RLPA boss Clint Newton before making a final decision.
“We’ll need their sign-off,” V’landys said, “Every situation has to be looked at on its merits.
“We’ll change it where an application can be made to the commission. It doesn’t mean it’s automatically approved but if there are special circumstances we’ll look at it.”
V’landys is well aware that good judges are talking Suaalii up as a once in a generation player.
“This kid has an extraordinary physique,” he said. “This kid is a champion of four or five sports (junior league, union, AFL, basketball). Everything he touches, he’s a natural. We want these talented kids playing rugby league.”