Roosters star Luke Keary has addressed Joseph Suaalii’s reported $1.6 million deal to make a cross-code swap, likening the younger gun to Sonny Bill Williams.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 19-year-old is ready to signal with Rugby Australia from 2025 onwards, becoming a member of Eddie Jones and the Wallabies.
The report claimed the prospect to play in a historic sequence in opposition to the British & Irish Lions was a “key driver” for Suaalii within the determination in addition to the large wage.
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Speaking on Triple M on Saturday, Keary stated he wasn’t sure the rising star would depart the Roosters as soon as his contract expires on the finish of 2024 — nonetheless he added “it wouldn’t surprise me at all”.
“He hasn’t said anything to us as a team yet. He obviously took his option up for 2024,” Keary stated.
“We know this is happening and good on him. He’s obviously a rugby boy.
“His main thing, I speak to him a lot… he wants to win a premiership. He hasn’t really spoken about rugby too much. I know he’s all-in with us.”
Keary additionally stated he believes Suaalii may have a “Sonny Bill-esque career”, with the previous Bulldogs star making the cross-code swap in 2008 after 5 seasons within the NRL.
Williams moved to France to play for Toulon earlier than taking part in for a number of Super League golf equipment, that includes 58 occasions for the All Blacks from 2010 to 2019.
The 37-year-old performed within the backrow, centres and at lock in rugby league however featured within the centres and on the wing within the 15-man code.
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Keary believes Suaalii may match into the Wallabies aspect equally to Israel Folau who performed 73 Tests after debuting in 2013.
“I think he goes over as a centre. I think you’ll see Israel Folau with him,” Keary stated.
‘He’s almost the identical participant as Izzy. Big, robust ballrunner, doesn’t play with the ball an excessive amount of.
“Bit of fullback, wing, centre.”
Bill Williams additionally returned to the NRL with the Roosters in 2013 and 2014, and Keary believes Suaalii must get used to the hypothesis surrounding his future.
“He’s a very quiet and confident kid and none of this has really rattled him much which has been good to see,” Keary stated.
“He’s going to have to get used to this because he is one of those superstars of the game, we all want to know what he’s doing and it’s going to be fascinating to see where his career goes.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
