Joseph Suaalii Dismisses Speculation of Roosters Return, Focuses on NSW Debut and Rugby Union Transition

Roosters prodigy Joseph Suaalii has clarified that he has made no commitments about returning to rugby league once his contract with Rugby Australia concludes.

The 20-year-old, set to make his debut for New South Wales on Wednesday, will leave the 13-man code at the end of this season to join the Waratahs and Wallabies.

Suaalii signed a lucrative three-year deal worth over $5 million in 2023, sparking rumors that he had agreed to rejoin the Roosters in 2028. However, in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Suaalii dismissed these claims, stating, “I honestly have not said anything.”

“Nick (Politis) always mentions it, and it’s encouraging to hear that he wants me at the club. He’s a great man, and I respect everything he’s done for me and the Roosters. But I genuinely haven’t looked that far ahead. Right now, my focus is on playing for the Roosters and the Blues on Wednesday night.”

Set to become Australia’s highest-paid athlete across all football codes in 2025, Suaalii has faced intense scrutiny since his teenage years due to his exceptional talent. He notably turned down a contract offer from the Rabbitohs to join the Roosters, arch-rivals of South Sydney, before making his NRL debut.

In recent years, Suaalii has found a sense of calm amidst the media frenzy. “I’m just focused on playing, and the opinions of family and friends matter most to me,” he shared.

“It was a stressful start to my career when I was younger. You don’t really know how to handle it initially. Over these three years, I’ve learned a lot. Now at 20, I feel like I’m growing into a man, adapting and finding ways to manage things. I’ve found peace with it and understand that it’s just the media’s job to sell papers.”