Sport On the downward slope, the Wallabies took out the checkbook to afford the prodigy of the XIII that everyone is tearing up: Joseph Suaalii (1m96 for 98kg).
Kalyn Ponga, from NRL star to 2023 World Cup star?
Remember! A few seasons ago, the NRL star Kalyn Ponga was the object of all desires: the All Blacks as the Wallabies wanted him at all costs but finally, the back of 24 today had extended with the Knights of Newcastle and continued to delight the best league in the world. So the Australians then tried something else, like repatriating the former Melbourne Storm scoring machine, Suliasi Vunivalu, to XV to give themselves an X factor on the wing. Problem, despite outstanding athletic qualities (1m92 for 99kg), the player of Fijian origin juggles injuries in adaptation difficulties and is for the time being, not in the (first) plans of Eddie Jones for the World Cup in France which is looming.
Suliasi Vunivalu, the XIII phenomenon who dreamed of a destiny with the Wallabies
Not desperate, however, the Gold and Greens have just managed to beat Ponga this time, on paper. A real rising star of the NRL, the rookie Joseph Suaalii, 17 tries in 27 NRL games, was closely tracked by the best clubs in the championship but also the XV. And the one who made his professional debut at 17 seems to be ready to change the code and try the adventure of the Wallabies. Indeed, according to the local press, the Samoan international at XIII is about to accept a contract of nearly 5 million Australian dollars over 3 years (nearly 3 million euros), from 2024 to 2027. This which would make him the highest paid player in the history of Rugby Australia, ahead of current stars like Michael Hooper or Taniela Tupou. A huge blow, which nevertheless raises a question: but where does all this money come from, while the Australian federation is struggling?
