NRL makes bold call on Suaalii exemption

The NRL has reportedly granted boom youngster Joseph Suaalii an exemption to make his debut before turning 18.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the ARL Commission signed off the application by the Sydney Roosters this morning.

It means Suaalii, who doesn't turn 18 until August 1, is free to debut as soon as this weekend, although the expectation is that Roosters coach Trent Robinson will wait until injury or representative commitments create an opening in the backline.

According to NRL rules, a player must have turned 18 to be eligible for selection, however Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys indicated last year that a one size fits all rule wasn't appropriate, amid speculation Suaalii would be lost to rugby union.

"We should look at every case on its merits," he said in July.

"We should not have blanket rules that stop you from doing things that are for the benefit of the game."

Suaalii scored two tries for North Sydney in his NSW Cup debut against Blacktown on the weekend.

Just last week premiership-winning coach Phil Gould said that not only should Suaalii be blocked from debuting until he turned 18, the age limit should even be raised.

"I think it sets a dangerous precedent, I don't think one player should be given special dispensation," Gould said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus podcast.

"I don't think it's imperative that just because they might be good enough at 17 years of age that you have to play them.

"The kid needs time. I don't think they need to rush him now.

"Personally, I think the game should hold strong. I would raise the age to 20 or 21. I'm not for teenagers rushing into the NRL at all. In the long-term sometimes I think it's detrimental to them."

Gould added that he was confident Suaalii, who is in Year 12 at Sydney's Kings School, would handle the transition to the NRL if the opportunity came his way.

"I'm not saying this kid won't handle NRL thrown at him now, I just think for the development for the long-term athlete is there is no need to be playing him at 17 years of age," he said.

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