Manchester: Mal Meninga has praised the teenager who snubbed him to signify Samoa – and can now face the Kangaroos within the World Cup ultimate – however the Australian coach warned of his personal “weapon”.
Joseph Suaalii was anticipated to make Meninga’s 24-man World Cup squad, however he shocked the rugby league world by defecting to Samoa on the eve of the event.
Roosters winger Suaalii has loved a stellar marketing campaign at fullback and performed an important position in Samoa’s fairytale run to the ultimate.
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The 19-year-old’s reverse quantity at Old Trafford on Sunday morning AEDT is Roosters teammate and Kangaroos captain James Tedesco.
Meninga wouldn’t disclose his conversations with Suaalii within the lead-up to the World Cup, however emphasised he solely wished gamers who had been “passionate” about sporting the inexperienced and gold.
“I’m pretty happy that he made a choice. I’ve said all along… I want players playing (for Australia) with passion,” Meninga mentioned.
“He wants to play for Samoa because he’s got a passion for it. He’s been playing really well through the tournament, but I’m really happy with my 24 players putting on the green and gold because they want to be there too.
“We’re no less passionate or committed than any other team.
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“I think it’s been great for the game and for players to play for whoever they want to play for, particularly their ancestral nations.
“And it’s proved a point, the Samoan side have made the grand final.”
Meninga conceded he’d missed out on a severe expertise in Suaalii, however reminded critics that his fullback is arguably the most effective participant on the planet.
“Yes (he’s a serious talent), same as James Tedesco, our fullback,” Meninga mentioned.
“But yeah Suaalii is (a weapon) and we’ll come up with a plan to try and nullify him, we know that he’s going to run that ball back hard and we’ve got to handle that.
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“That’s what rugby league is all about. It’s confrontational and we will have to come up with the right answers when he does carry the football.
“He’s a great player, he’s 19 years of age and we all know how special he is. He’s one of those players that can play any position. He can play fullback, wing, centre, could probably play five-eighth too, he’s got the skill set.
“He could probably play front row, he’s got the size. He’s a special talent that’s going to have a huge career in our game.”
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Suaalii has refused to talk to the press in the course of the knockout phases and won’t be put up for media duties within the lead as much as the ultimate.
The Roosters younger gun has an possibility in his favour for 2024 which implies he’s presently allowed to signal with rival golf equipment for that season.