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In an extravagant effort to court Eddie Jones back to the Wallabies, former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan pulled out all the stops by hosting a lavish dinner for the esteemed coach at his opulent $17 million residence in Lavender Bay, a suburb known for its breathtaking harbour views.
Amidst the sophisticated ambiance, the dinner featured a delightful meal of Portuguese chicken expertly crafted by McLennan’s wife, Lucinda, as he passionately articulated his ambitious vision for the future of the Wallabies – a vision that ultimately sealed the deal for Jones’ return.
About seven months later, with Jones still relishing the joys of his second stint with the Wallabies, McLennan intensified his strategy, believing he was onto a winning formula.
At this time, McLennan was deeply engrossed in discreet negotiations with the agent of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Isaac Moses, in a bold attempt to entice the teenage rugby league sensation away from the NRL back to union. However, Suaalii’s family held reservations, prioritizing a deeper understanding of the values of Rugby Australia before advancing further.
Concerned about their son’s well-being beyond financial incentives, Suaalii’s parents insisted on an intimate meeting that would allow them to gauge the commitment of the people behind Rugby Australia. Consequently, McLennan invited the then 19-year-old phenomenon along with his father Chris and mother Salina for an evening of delicious Portuguese chicken, accompanied by the agent who would eventually broker one of the most pivotal contracts in Australian sports history.
Jones was present at the gathering, seated beside Suaalii, keenly listening as the young athlete spoke with a unique blend of confidence and humility about his eagerness to transition back into rugby.
McLennan’s daughter, Olivia, and her boyfriend Alex joined the dinner as well. According to McLennan, the then RA director Phil Waugh, who later ascended to the role of CEO, was also in attendance.
McLennan’s lavish Lavender Bay home, recently sold for nearly $17 million, served as the venue for this significant meeting with the Suaalii family back in February 2023, a pivotal moment that would impact the trajectory of Australian rugby.
Waugh, when questioned, denied any awareness of the dinner held at McLennan’s residence. “I’m surprised to hear Philip is denying he was at the dinner,” McLennan remarked. “He had a great time.”
Waugh’s reluctance to acknowledge his presence at the dinner underscores the underlying tension that has simmered since news broke regarding the cross-code star’s multimillion-dollar switch approximately 20 months ago.
Questions arose about who knew what and who backed the decision amid concerns that many had distanced themselves from it.
The negotiations and the boardroom squabble
Tension had already started to fester between McLennan and then CEO Andy Marinos, an unease that further permeated the rugby committee—a newly established subcommittee composed of Waugh and fellow director Daniel Herbert, intended as a consultative body on high-performance issues.
McLennan, characterized by his impatient nature, grew increasingly frustrated with the bureaucratic constraints and what he perceived to be the slow pace of Rugby Australia. He openly expressed his displeasure, particularly after what he considered a missed opportunity to reconnect former Wallabies center Samu Kerevi back from Japan.
“Has anyone reached out to Joseph Suaalii?” the chairman asked his CEO midway through 2021, just weeks after the young talent received a special NRL exemption to debut before his 18th birthday.
“Blind Freddie would tell you he was a superstar,” McLennan remarked in a recent interview, expressing his frustration over what he viewed as a lack of initiative from management, especially with the Wallabies maintaining a disappointing win rate of 36% at the time. He resolved to take matters into his own hands when he discovered that no one had made any effort to contact Suaalii.
In true McLennan fashion, he reached out directly to Suaalii, leaving a voicemail that expressed his desire to connect. Soon after, the young athlete returned the call, conveying his longing to wear the Wallabies jersey. “Speak to my manager,” he relayed to McLennan.
Over the ensuing months, McLennan, Moses, and Waugh engaged in several secretive meetings, tactically strategizing to lure Suaalii away from the clutches of rugby league and the Roosters’ billionaire chairman Nick Politis.
McLennan maintained that since 86% of Rugby Australia’s revenue stemmed from the Wallabies, the game was in urgent need of revitalization, with Suaalii’s talent and star power serving as the catalyst for that rejuvenation.
“Anyone who doubts that Joseph will be an icon of rugby is probably lacking a bit of vision,” McLennan declared confidently.
Despite the optimism, Rugby Australia grappled with a prolonged financial crisis that had persisted for several years. At that juncture, the organization was in search of a substantial $250 million investment from private equity entities.
Ultimately, RA settled for an $80 million line of credit, anticipating that a significant portion would be repaid through an expected $100 million financial boost from the forthcoming British and Irish Lions Tour.
Management advised McLennan, cautioning that a hefty offer for Suaalii—a proposed three-year deal worth up to $9 million, including a player option—was viewed as careless and ill-advised given the financial climate.
“It’s what everyone talks about and I understand why people do,” Waugh remarked with respect to Suaalii’s lucrative contract.
“We don’t have the same revenue line as what the AFL and NRL do. We don’t have the same broadcast numbers. We don’t have the same balance sheet as the other codes do. I don’t really want to get into the contract and the number itself, but clearly that needed to be met to get to the outcome.”
Many familiar with the situation revealed that Marinos was vehemently against both the contract and McLennan’s approach during negotiations, further complicating the dynamic. Notably, Marinos was absent from the dinner at McLennan’s house, completely unaware that the meeting was even taking place.
Additionally, Marinos had also been critical of McLennan’s plan to recruit from rugby league, resulting in palpable friction regarding the direction Rugby Australia was taking.
Jones had a long-standing admiration for rugby league players, and during discussions with McLennan prior to his appointment, he often reminisced about the remarkable impact cross-code converts like Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers, and Lote Tuqiri had on the sport.
Jones expressed concerns that the best young athletes were opting for rugby league over rugby union. He believed that introducing star players into the rugby union fold was crucial for attracting young talent to the sport.
McLennan and Jones compiled a target list of NRL players they aimed to entice to rugby union, with Suaalii being their primary objective.
Jones also attempted to utilize his relationship with former Wallabies player Simon Poidevin to convince young South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray to return to rugby where he initially began his career.
The pair identified several players, including then lesser-known Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa and Canberra’s lively Xavier Savage, as potential signings.
Dan Herbert, then a director at Rugby Australia and later McLennan’s successor as chairman, reportedly voiced concerns about the high-profile deal in negotiations.
“Why did they approve the deal, then?” McLennan questioned rhetorically.
“After I left, and in true fashion, some at Rugby Australia tried to quietly distance themselves from the decision. Now I hear they’re all for it. Success has many fathers.”
McLennan dismissed insinuations that he acted without transparency, or that he improperly fast-tracked the accreditation of Moses—whose credentials had lapsed following his former client Israel Folau’s departure from the Wallabies.
“Pip Marlow [board member] and Phil Waugh worked closely with me on the deal,” McLennan affirmed.
“The Rugby Australia board and a key sponsor were very much involved in the negotiations and signed off on it. Other top players have earned more than $1 million, and we’d transformed RA from a $25 million loss in 2020 to an $8 million profit in 2023. We needed to invest to get the team prepared for the Lions.”
“Joey is all anyone is talking about and he’s the gift that keeps on giving. Over the last two decades, the decline in Wallaby performance has done more to hurt the value of rugby and all of its commercial assets.”
Will the deal send Rugby Australia broke?
Speculation has circulated that McLennan secured verbal assurances from private benefactors associated with the Australian Rugby Foundation (ARF), established in 2014 to attract increased private investment for the sport.
McLennan’s proposal asserted that Suaalii’s financial obligations should be equally divided among the Wallabies, NSW Waratahs, and the ARF, based on a verbal agreement from a wealthy benefactor willing to contribute nearly $500,000 annually to support Suaalii’s salary.
However, those promised financial resources evaporated when McLennan was ousted from his position as chairman, leaving the current Rugby Australia management scrambling to fulfill Suaalii’s multi-million-dollar contract from their own limited resources.
Waugh maintains that Rugby Australia possesses the financial capability to uphold Suaalii’s extravagant contract without threatening the future of the sport, although recent discussions were held with the Roosters about a possible loan in 2026 to alleviate some of the pressures stemming from his agreement.
“My view on our financial structure is that we have a revenue challenge, more than a cost challenge,” Waugh commented.
“What we need to do is drive interest, engage an audience, and secure commercial partnerships. Between now and the Lions Tour, we must maximize our revenue. Athletes such as Joseph allow us to boost our revenue.”
When Rugby Australia announced the successful acquisition of Suaalii, the deal was presented merely as a three-year contract. However, recent reports revealed a confidential clause that could extend Suaalii’s contract until 2029, valued between $3.5 million and $4 million.
The contract negotiated by McLennan and Waugh, approved by the board, included an option for the player which enabled him to activate two additional years at a minimum value equal to his third season’s pay.
This development could elevate the contract’s total value to approximately $8.5 million over five years, significantly marking a departure from typical contracts, as the player option outweighed that of the highest-paid NRL player (Kalyn Ponga) by nearly $500,000, leading to the Roosters abandoning their pursuit of Suaalii’s services.
The wrath of Nick Politis
It was Moses who initially reached out to the Roosters regarding Suaalii amid a fierce tug-of-war regarding the then-teenage talent between Rugby Australia and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Moses had been deregistered by the NRL for almost a year after an investigation discovered he had violated his agent obligations while assisting former client Tim Mannah in providing false testimony during an integrity unit investigation involving the Parramatta Eels in 2017.
For any potential deal involving Suaalii to be registered, Moses needed to have his accreditation reinstated.
The 82-year-old Politis later expressed privately that he believes Moses exploited Roosters’ interest as a means to reinstate his credentials.
Politis maintains a close relationship with Peter V’landys, having vouched for Moses’ character to the ARL Commission chair.
When Politis learned about Suaalii’s transition to rugby union through media reports—without prior notice to discuss keeping the player—he directly confronted Moses about the situation.
Politis vowed to sever ties with Moses permanently. In the aftermath, several of Moses’ clients, including Matt Lodge, have opted to leave the Roosters.
To this day, Politis has remained steadfast in his decision, despite numerous attempts from Moses—in both direct and indirect manners—to reconcile with the Roosters chairman.
Sports agent Isaac Moses leaves court after giving evidence in support of Kurtley Beale at his sexual assault trial.
The secret Parramatta deal
Despite the fervour surrounding Suaalii, heading into the final year of his contract with the Roosters, he faced an uphill battle, with expectations that he might start the season either on the bench or in reserve grade.
The Roosters secured Dominic Young from Newcastle to pair with Daniel Tupou on the wing, while internal momentum was building for Billy Smith to kick off the year in the centers alongside Joey Manu due to concerns about Suaalii’s field vision in that position.
Sources privy to the matter indicated that Moses engaged in clandestine talks with Parramatta regarding the possibility of Suaalii transferring to the Eels immediately, a move that could earn him up to $1 million to fill the role of Parramatta’s fullback Clint Gutherson for one season before moving to rugby.
There remains uncertainty about whether Suaalii was privy to his agent’s negotiations with Parramatta or the potential reprieve he could have by switching clubs.
Moses, whose cousin Mitchell plays halfback for Parramatta, had communicated to the Eels that he would seek a release for Suaalii from the Roosters. Adding to the intrigue was the fact that one of Suaalii’s closest friends and schoolmates, Will Penisini, is also part of the Parramatta team.
Despite several attempts by Moses to engage Politis—one notably in Las Vegas during the NRL season-opening double-header—Roosters management remained unaware of these negotiations until late last week.
Amid injuries to Young and Smith during pre-season, it became increasingly apparent that Suaalii would start the year with the Roosters, especially given their status as premiership contenders and the Eels’ downward trajectory, ultimately leading to head coach Brad Arthur’s dismissal.
The future is bright
When the Sydney Roosters sought an exemption for Suaalii to debut prior to his 18th birthday, the NRL outlined specific criteria he needed to fulfill to demonstrate his readiness for first-grade football.
A series of physiological evaluations conducted by an independent agency confirmed that Suaalii’s athletic potential was extraordinary. However, it was psychological assessments that convinced rugby league officials he was prepared for the rigors of competing at the professional level amid the considerable hype surrounding his arrival.
In feedback provided to the NRL by external mental health experts, it was revealed that Suaalii’s emotional maturity surpassed that of many athletes in the 480-player competition.
“One of the great attractions to Joseph was that he was incredibly humble,” Waugh commented.
“He wants to perform and understands there’s a real responsibility and requirement to perform. That’s not just from Rugby Australia but also his own expectations as well. Culturally, he’s seamlessly fitted into the squad, which is quite unique given the fanfare and speculation surrounding his contract.”
Since the Roosters agreed to release Suaalii from the last weeks of his NRL contract to join the Wallabies ahead of their Spring tour, the 21-year-old has captured headlines across media platforms.
Securing Suaalii’s signature has rekindled interest in rugby, leading to speculation that other talents like Mark Nawaqanitawase (who is with the Roosters), Carter Gordon (Titans), and several promising young athletes have opted for league over union due to fears regarding Rugby Australia’s pathways and financial viability.
Nevertheless, rugby has regained visibility in media outlets, representing the most favorable publicity the sport has experienced since securing Jones’ return as head coach just over two years ago.
“Yeah, but we’re careful not to get too carried away with it,” Waugh cautioned.
“You don’t want a sugar hit then our performances drift away and we end up back where we were when you were trying to find rugby in the papers. What’s important to us is to get to a sustainable system so that we can be consistently on the back pages and performing at a level where people want to watch it and read about it.”
“Anyone can put a Wallabies jersey on, but there’s a responsibility to perform and win.”
Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh
“The real value will be Wallabies winning Test matches and Waratahs winning Super Rugby titles. As a result of that filling stadiums and driving a lot of eyeballs on TV. Performance is king. Anyone can put a Wallabies jersey on, but there’s a responsibility to perform and win.”
Throughout Jones’ brief but turbulent second tenure, he generally left Suaalii to his own devices, respecting a promise made to Roosters coach Trent Robinson to avoid being a distraction.
Nevertheless, as he prepared to depart, Jones sent Suaalii a parting text.
“I’m sorry for leaving,” Jones communicated.
“It was never my intent. I would have loved to have coached you but I know you’ll be a success.”
If Jones’ assessment proves accurate, the evening when a plate of Portuguese chicken triumphed over a Sydney Rooster will be etched in history as one of the most monumental moments in Australian sport.
As the news broke about Suaalii’s move to Rugby Australia, discussions intensified regarding not just the financial implications but the broader impact on Australian rugby’s future. The buzz surrounding Suaalii has undoubtedly piqued interest in rugby union, raising hopes that his presence could lure other talented athletes back to the sport.
Potential for Rebirth
With Suaalii now connected to the Wallabies, Rugby Australia is optimistic about revitalizing the sport, especially among younger demographics who may have gravitated towards rugby league. The excitement generated by his arrival could serve as a catalyst for improved performance on the field and increased attendance and viewership off it. Waugh emphasized, “He’s a game-changer for us—not just in terms of on-field talent but in the visibility and engagement he brings to the sport.”
The deal has also sparked a conversation about the long-term strategy for Rugby Australia, including reforming funding structures and investment in grassroots programs. There’s a sense of urgency to harness this renewed interest in rugby to ensure that the sport not only survives but thrives in a competitive sporting landscape.
Addressing Concerns
Despite the excitement, there are concerns regarding the sustainability of such lucrative contracts in the long run. Critics question whether Rugby Australia can genuinely bear the financial burden without compromising the sport’s integrity and stability. Waugh has acknowledged these concerns, assuring stakeholders that while the revenue challenges are significant, the focus remains on maximizing commercial opportunities. “The focus must be on growth and sustainability,” he stressed.
Furthermore, in light of McLennan’s earlier assertions about the financial backing for Suaalii’s deal, the current leadership faces scrutiny over how it plans to fulfill its contractual obligations. Transparency in communication and financial planning will be paramount to mitigate any potential backlash from supporters and sponsors alike.
A New Era for Rugby Australia
As the Wallabies gear up for upcoming international competitions with Suaalii in the mix, the excitement surrounding his arrival signals a potential turning point for the sport in Australia. For now, the rugby community is holding its breath, eager to see if this bold investment will pay dividends or if it risks plunging the organization back into financial turmoil.
As rightly noted by McLennan, “Success has many fathers,” but the urgency now lies in ensuring that the decisions made today are not only celebrated but sustainable for the future of Australian rugby.
