Eels Blogs

PARRA’S BOND OF BROTHERS
Fatima Kdouh
Will Penisini wants to play alongside his younger brother, Richard, in blue and gold of Parramatta.

And it might be the carrot that helps the club ward off a Rugby Australia raid on the star Eels centre.

Penisini doesn’t come off contract at the Eels until the end of season 2025, but that happens to coincide with the Lions tour before Australia plays host to the Rugby Union World Cup in 2027.

The Daily Telegraph understands Penisini has come up in conversations regarding a Rugby Australia hit list that was headlined by his close friend and Sydney Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – who has defected to union on a mega three-year deal worth over $5m from 2025.

Penisini and Suaalii became best friends during their time together at The King’s School, an elite GPS rugby school.

While Penisini has the option to follow Suaalii to the 15-man game, the rapid rise of his brother, Richard, 18, also a product of The King’s School, could be the reason he commits to Parramatta beyond 2025.

“Yeah, 100 per cent. It’s a dream for him to be able to debut for the club and a dream for us as brothers to be able to play together for the Eels,” Penisini said. “It’ll be a huge moment for my family if it does happen.

“I know he’s got a long way to go but I think getting an NRL pre-season under his belt going into next year will help get him close to that dream.”

A centre like Will, Richard has been identified as a key retention priority for the Eels long term.

The powerful outside back, who packs size and the ability to create attacking opportunities, was a part of Parramatta’s grand final winning SG Ball team earlier this year. He has since featured in the Jersey Flegg outfit and will make his NSW Cup debut on Friday against the Roosters.

“He did go to The King’s School too, he should be graduating this year but he finished a year early. He was in the SG Ball side that won this year and he’s playing a bit of under 21’s now too,” Penisini said. “He’s developing well in the Parramatta system. He’s choosing the league path now, I think that’s what the future is for him. He’s a good player and he just needs to keep on working hard.” As for Penisini’s future, the 21 year old said he would not make any decisions about a switch to rugby any time soon.

“That is still far away, there are still two more years (before my contract ends). I’m totally focused on what is going on this year,” Penisini said.

“We have a huge challenge ahead of us as a team so to be honest I’m not thinking about that at the moment.”

While Penisini isn’t ready to make a decision he knows a code switch will draw the ire of league fans, just like Suaalii did. Penisini hit back at the wide backlash Suaalii received after securing the rich rugby deal.

“It’s been happening his whole life really. He has been copping it ever since he was in high school all the way as far back as year nine … from his school days until now so I don’t think he sees it as a big deal,” Penisini said.

“The people giving it to him don’t know his situation, his family.

“But it’s what happens when you’re such a superstar and a talent, people criticise you for every little thing.”

For now, Penisini is focused on keeping Parramatta’s finals hopes alive with a win against the Roosters on Friday. He will mark-up on another of the game’s GPS school graduates in former Scots College rugby star Billy Smith, who has been one of the NRL’s form centres in recent weeks. — with Jen Dawson and 2 others.