The Semi Radradra verdict on Joseph Suaalii joining union from NRL

Fijian powerhouse Semi Radradra has given his verdict on the recent signing by Rugby Australia of Joseph Suaalii from the NRL. The 19-year-old Sydney Roosters player won’t be available for the Wallabies until 2025, as he won’t cross codes to play for the Super Rugby Waratahs until his current league deal expires at the end of the 2024 season. However, the ambitious decision by the Samoan-capped league teenager has been given the thumbs up by Radradra.

The Fijian was only an 18-year-old when he quit Fiji 7s to join the Paramatta Eels in 2011 and it was 2017, when Toulon came calling, that he then made the switch back to union from league, embarking on a European odyssey that has also included stints with Bordeaux and Bristol ahead of his upcoming move back to France to join Lyon.

Rugby Australia’s offer of a deal reportedly worth $1.6million per season ahead of the 2027 home Rugby World Cup was too much for Suaalii to resist, and Radradra has likened the high-profile signing to what Eddie Jones previously did two decades ago when last in charge of the Wallabies prior to the home 2003 RWC.

At the time Jones poached Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers and history is now repeating itself with Suaalii agreeing to a three-year deal from 2025 worth in excess of $5m. Appearing on the latest episode of The Rugby Pod, the now 30-year-old Radradra was asked how Suaalii would fare making the transition from league to union with Jones now back in charge of the Wallabies.

“To be honest, the Wallabies have struggled for a bit. Now that Eddie is there he wants to bring that Lote, Wendell Sailor (era) back in. That is what he wants to bring back in the team. Suaalii played union before as well, so he is grand, he’s grand. He is really good. In the outside backs as a centre or a winger, high ball, I reckon he will be one to watch coming up.”

It was 12 years ago when Radradra made the switch in the other direction as a teenager, quitting union for a money-spinning NRL offer that changed his life. “I was 18 years old when I made my debut for the Fiji 7s. I played three legs, Gold Coast, Dubai and South Africa, and then we came back and had two weeks off before Las Vegas. I received a phone call from my agent and asked if I wanted to play rugby league.

"Back then, rugby league in Fiji wasn’t big. I said I had no idea of the rules and stuff. But he said, ‘I’ll pay for your flight, fly tomorrow and have a look at the contract. If you are happy you stay for two years. If you are not happy, I can pay for your flight back’.

“The next day I caught the flight from Fiji to Australia and no one knew, not even my family. We went to Paramatta Eels and I asked where is the page, where is the money? That was all that mattered. I went to the last page, saw the offer and said, ‘Okay, I’ll stay’. I signed straight away. I was working in the mines in Fiji, it was very risky and you were paid s*** money. So that offer, I couldn’t resist.”

Radradra suffered a hamstring injury when running in a Challenge Cup try for Bristol last Friday against Clermont, sparking fears that he wouldn’t play again for the Bears before he leaves for France. However, he is optimistic that he will be fit in time for the May 6 Ashton Gate clash versus Gloucester in the final round of the Gallagher Premiership.

“Good news, good news,” he enthused. “I had a scan after the game and hopefully I can play one more game before I head to France. I’m going to Lyon and looking forward to it. I was in Bordeaux for two years and in Toulon for a year. I like playing in France and looking forward to next season.”

Radradra will also play for the Barbarians before leaving England, as he is in the Jones-coached squad for their May 28 Killik Cup showdown with Steve Hansen’s World XV at Twickenham. Which player is he most looking forward to playing with in that fixture?

“I would like love to play with Marika Koroibete. I have played against him in rugby league but I haven’t played with him, so it would be a dream.”