The Sydney Roosters have lodged an exemption to the NRL that may allow teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii to play with the Chooks as a 17-year-old, perย The Daily Telegraph.ย
Suaalii, who turns 18 in September, joined the Roosters on a two-year deal from rivals South Sydney last year in what turned out to be a major tug-of-war for the highly-touted Kings prodigy.
Promising youngster Joseph Suaalii signs with Roosters ๐ https://t.co/HUF4tw5CZP#EastsToWin
— Sydney Roosters ๐ (@sydneyroosters) December 1, 2020
ARLC chairman Peter V'landys confirmed to The Telegraphย that the Roosters had officially filed their request to receive an exemption for the game's age rule that doesn't allow players under the age of 18 to compete in the league.
โThey have lodged an application,โ V'landys said.
โWe have however, required additional information to consider that application.
โThe Roosters are in the process of providing that information.
โThe information is in relation to the welfare of the player โฆ whatโs going to happen with his education moving forward, that he is physically and mentally capable.
โThey are going to have to answer all those questions before the Commission would give consideration.โ
Despite an exemption being on the cards for both Suaalii and the Tri-colours, V'landys stated the NRL's age rule will be here to stay.
โIt was never going to be a blanket change to the rule. There is a rule that gives the Commission discretion on all rules,โ he said.
โWe didnโt want rules that are too prescriptive and at times not in the best interest of the games.
โSo the age rule is still there. But we can consider specific cases.โ
V'landys added that Suaalii is a "real exemption" and isn't expecting to receive several more requests for a similar plea.
โI donโt think so. This young gentlemen is a real exception. But any club is able to make an application on this or any matter,โ he said.
Reports that Joseph Suaalii has signed with the Rabbitohs on the richest deal for a teenager in the games history
"A mix between SBW and GI"
Have to say he looks very promising#NRL
๐ฅ@bocko6/Instagram pic.twitter.com/YSKsGbgsIt— Roast (@thenrlroast) June 17, 2020
And Politis will ensure the exemption is granted.