Teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii will finally make his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters after being confirmed as a starter for this week's clash with the Brisbane Broncos.
Nine's Danny Weidler reports that the 17-year-old will play his first NRL game as the Roosters meet the Broncos at the SCG on Saturday night.
Suaalii and 18-year-old Roosters halfback Sam Walker are among the most hyped rugby league teenagers in a long time.
Suaalii shone in both rugby league and rugby union in his earlier teen years, juggling first XV duties at The King's School with games for the South Sydney Rabbitohs' Harold Matthews team.
The Rabbitohs won a tug of war against Rugby Australia when the rising fullback penned a three-year deal with South Sydney as a 15-year-old in February 2019.
But bitter arch rivals the Roosters then poached Suaalii in December 2020, signing him on a two-year deal when the Rabbitohs eventually gave in to releasing him from the final year of his contract.
The Rabbitohs only released Suaalii to the Roosters when the Tricolours agreed to cough up a $110,000 transfer fee.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Suaalii was primed to make his NRL debut this week.
"It's been really clear to all of us that Joseph has been ready for the last few weeks, and it's time for him to start his journey in the NRL this weekend," Robinson said.
Although Suaalii has specialised as a fullback in his dazzling teenage years, it's believed the boy from Penrith is also capable of playing at five-eighth, in the centres and as a winger.
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