Sydney Roosters young pistol Joseph Suaalii named to Home State Emerging Blues squad

As an indication of its early capacity, Sydney Roosters teenager Joseph Suaalii landed a spot on the New South Wales Emerging Blues team although he is too young to legally make his NRL debut.

The 17-year-old is one of 29 players who will meet tomorrow at the NSWRL Center of Excellence in Sydney and will be greeted by Blues coach Brad Fittler.

A bidding war for Suaalii was finally settled when the full-back neglected the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Rugby Australia to sign a two-year contract with the Roosters in early December..

His selection for the Emerging Blues team placed him alongside Jacob Saifiti of Newcastle, Kyle Flanagan of Canterbury, Tyrone May of Penrith and a host of other promising youngsters.

“It’s fair to say that Joseph Suaalii is really excited”, NSW chief Dave Trodden told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“You don’t want to put too much pressure on young guys, but a lot of people are anticipating what Joseph’s career could be like.

“Our selectors identify people from a variety of age groups who have the potential to be Origin actors.

“Anyone who’s seen anything from Joseph – it’s easy to see why our coaching staff think he has the potential to continue and have a representative career.

“He also introduces him to NSWRL, which would normally have taken place last year at our junior rep camps without COVID.”

Only players based in New South Wales and ACT were considered for squad selection, given COVID-19 state restrictions.

The 2021 Emerging Blues team:

Jake Averillo (Bulldogs)

Bradman Best (Knights)

Shawn Blore (Western Tigers)

Blayke Brailey (Sharks)

Nat Butcher (Roosters)

Kyle Flanagan (Bulldogs)

Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs)

Emre Guler (Raiders)

Jack Hetherington (Bulldogs)

Tex Hoy (Knights)

Sione Katoa (Sharks)

Spencer Leniu (Panthers)

Moses Leota (Panthers)

Liam Martin (Panthers)

Tyrone May (Panthers)

Toby Rudolf (Sharks)

Jacob Saifiti (Knights)

Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles)

Charlie Staines (Panthers)

Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)

Moses Suli (Sea Eagles)

Siosifa Talakai (Sharks)

Tommy Talau (Western Tigers)

Avoid Tatola (Rabbitohs)

Brian To’o (Panthers)

Stefano Utoikamanu (Western Tigers)

Sam Verrills (Roosters)

Brandon Wakeham (Bulldogs)

Hudson Young (Raiders)

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