Will Penisini is the local junior Parramatta want to build their club around - but also their trump card when it comes to trying to lure good mate Joseph Suaali’i back to the western suburbs.
Gun centre Penisini inked a two-year extension with the Eels on Tuesday, which will keep him at the club until the end of 2025.
While new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones will need to cross Penisini off his NRL hit list, the timing of his deal will still give him more than 18 months to chase a Wallabies jumper in time for the 2027 World Cup on home soil should he decide to switch to the 15-man code.
Penisini is sure to get in touch with Sydney Roosters ace Suaali’i, whose fullback plans at the Bondi club have been stalled by the world’s best No.1 James Tedesco.
Penisini and Suaali’i have known each other for a decade and played First XV rugby at the prestigious King’s School. Suaali’i was even spotted in the sheds after last year’s grand final supporting his Parramatta pal.
Penisini knows he would be doing the blue and gold faithful a favour by trying to sell Suaali’i the Eels vision, but could not promise anything. Suaali’i has clauses in his contract that allow him to negotiate with rival clubs each year.
“I don’t think he’s going anywhere soon, but I’d love him to come and play with me,” Penisini told the Herald. “It will be a tough conversation trying to get him into the blue and gold.
“We played together when we were younger. We’ve got a close bond, we’re like brothers, and our families are close. I think he’s happy where he is at the moment.
“The Roosters have a good problem with three fullbacks in their backline. It makes them more dangerous. You can see Joey Manu lurking around the ball, and ‘Teddy’ ... I’m sure they’ll come up with a plan to get them all more involved.
“He’d probably laugh at me if I tried to convince him to come out here now. But you never know.”
Jones said on his return to the Wallabies last month he wanted to reach out to the NRL players who were lost to rugby the first time around. South Sydney’s Cameron Murray and Suaali’i would be prime targets, along with Penisini and Roosters forward Angus Crichton.
Penisini said he had not given rugby any thought this time around, but it would be foolish to ever slam the door shut completely.
“I had tunnel vision for Parra this time, they’ve given me a lot - I’ve been here since I was 12 or 13 - and I wanted to give back to them,” Penisini said.
There are a couple of league boys with union backgrounds. You never know what will happen in the future. Rugby is still a great game, I’ve watched both games growing up and was lucky enough to play both games.
“Australia will be strong going into that World Cup, and I can’t wait to see the country get behind them. I’ve seen the teams that Eddie has coached, but I’ve never met Eddie nor spoken to him.”
Penisini has nailed down a centre position at Parramatta and will need to forge a right-edge combination with a new back-rower now Isaiah Papali’i has joined the Wests Tigers. Three or four players have been rotating in and out of the position at training, including a couple of lesser-known forwards, Matt Doorey and former Knight Jirah Momoisea.
Fans should also keep an eye out for another Penisini, Will’s younger brother Richie, who will line up for the club’s SG Ball opener this weekend.
Replies
Parra should chase hard for him. Not sure they have the cap space now
To get him we will need two things.
1) Fullback spot open with no competition
2) A s***ton of money
Plus Suaalii is the type of player that wants to be sucked up to alot, we would need to like give him leadership, be the face, roll the red carpet.
He is a good talent i just do not think he suits us as a club.
His best mate thinks he'd laugh at the thought of joining the Eels. That's a pretty clear indication that we have very little chance of getting him.
Too much drama surrounding Suaali'i anyway. Watching him play fullback in the world cup showed he's not ready to play there in first grade. His defensive positioning and effort wasn't what it needs to be, yet he wants fullback coin.
The Eels won't pay him what he wants either so it's a waste of time even thinking about it at this point.