Cash-strapped Rugby Australia denies $3m offer for teenage NRL prospect

Souths’ Joseph Suaalii at centre of cross-code tug-of-warRA says reported financial figures are ‘totally fanciful’Rugby Australia has denied splashing out $3m to poach teenage star Joseph Suaalii from under the noses of the NRL. RA on Tuesday night claimed a deal was “not done yet” after seemingly convincing the 16-year-old sporting sensation to turn his back on a $1.7m offer to remain with South Sydney for three more years.Like super-coach Wayne Bennett, Suaalii is contracted to Souths until the end of next season. But the Rabbitohs had hoped to lock down the so-called next Greg Inglis long term before new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie swooped, having hotly pursued Suaalii since first trying to sign the prodigy in February. Related: Australian rugby faces further fracture as New Zealand plan prompts fight for survival Continue readingread full article

Source: TheGuardian

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