David Campese has been left fuming over Eddie Jones’ push to pump the Wallabies’ stocks with expensive NRL stars, including R58 million wing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Rugby Australia on Saturday confirmed that Suaalii, who plays on the wing for rugby league side Sydney Roosters, will switch to rugby union when his contract expires at the end of 2024.
MORE: Blitzboks keeping heads down in Hong Kong
Suaalii has signed a three-year deal that will see him earn $1.6 million (R19 million) per season to play for the Waratahs and Wallabies.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, former Wallabies wing Campese shared his frustrations with the RA’s willingness to spend mega money on a player who was in the rugby union system as a junior.
“Think of what rugby union could do in pathways with the money they are spending on one player,’ Campese told the Daily Telegraph.
‘This is the reason we’ve been losing kids to rugby league for years … there has been no investment in juniors.
“They say Suaalii will be paid almost $5million over three years – imagine what you could do in junior development and schools with that sort of money.
“If we had the right systems in place, players like Joseph would have stayed in union in the first place,” Campese added.
WIN: Tickets to DHL Stormers vs Harlequins
“Now we’re spending all the cash to get him back. That’s why we’re exposed to NRL clubs. There is no money for rugby union kids.
“Why aren’t we looking after our own? If you don’t have the foundations, you can’t build a house.”
Suaalii’s decision has also not been kindly received in the NRL, as his Roosters teammate Brandon Smith showed by reacting to the announcement.
“That $1.6 million could have been spent better on the grassroots of rugby than grabbing our beautiful young Suaalii,” Stone said. “A $1.6 million winger from the Roosters isn’t going to help (the Wallabies) beat the All Blacks.”
MORE: Lyon pounce on Sharks’ Kolbe
Photo: Twitter: @FOXNRL