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Requested if rugby was ready to deliver ahead Suaalii’s swap, McLennan mentioned: “I’d take him in a heartbeat.”
McLennan additionally mentioned he had been contacted by the agent of one other “main NRL participant” for the reason that Suaalii signing, inquiring a couple of potential swap. The Rugby Australia chairman declined to disclose the title.
Joseph Suaalii got here to the NRL, and initially South Sydney, from rugby union.Credit score:NRL Images
“The genie is out of the bottle,” McLennan mentioned. “He needs the worldwide publicity, the large stadiums and the worldwide occasions.
“At rugby we’re extra pro-player. Longer careers, better life expertise, extra focussed on participant welfare and extra enjoyable.”
Questions have been raised concerning the impression of Suaalii’s big-money signing on the present gamers in Australia’s Tremendous Rugby sides, concerning the scale of the reported $1.6 million-per-season pay cheque and alternatives for choice.
However Waratahs and Australia A winger Dylan Pietsch, who just lately re-signed to the top of 2025 and could possibly be the person ignored in a possible again three of Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Mark Nawaqanitawase, mentioned he had no issues with any of it.
“There isn’t a concern. He’s such a very good participant and such a very good child. He went to Kings so I do know him comparatively properly and it’s good that rugby can have him again,” Pietsch mentioned.
“He’s a very gifted athlete and to have him within the again three, if which means I’m in or out, I don’t actually thoughts as a result of he’s such a very good athlete and if he’s going to win the Tahs video games, then stunning.
“Everybody has their opinion. I don’t thoughts, to be sincere. It’s important to throw him a bit of cash to get him over right here – it’s a good bit of cash, too – but it surely doesn’t actually part me as an out of doors again.”
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With only one win from 5 video games, the Waratahs are main outsiders to beat the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday evening however Pietsch mentioned underdog standing was a snug – and welcome – setting. The Tahs fell to the Chiefs at house final week however took confidence from the efficiency.
“You possibly can undoubtedly see on the weekend how properly we defended. That was one thing we missed within the first couple of video games, how properly we defended as a group,” Pietsch mentioned.
“We scrapped alongside. The opposite video games we most likely weren’t scrapping as a lot as we must always. Hopefully the boys will flick the swap and that’s what we now have for the remainder of the season.
“That’s our DNA, all final yr that’s what we did. We constructed our wins on and constructed our groups on, was scrapping for the ball and being underdogs. We get that once more this week and that’s actually cool for us to be there once more.”
Watch all of the motion from the Tremendous Rugby Pacific with each match streaming ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport.
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