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Roosters rookie Siua Wong has emerged as the most in-demand youngster in two codes, with the All Blacks and Australian rugby both keen to secure the services of the 20-year-old, multiple rugby league Test teams chasing him and several NRL clubs also waiting for a chance to lure him away from Bondi.
Since debuting in round 18, Wong’s importance to the Roosters has increased rapidly and after scoring a decisive try for the Tricolours in their preliminary final win over the Sharks, the seven-game back-rower is beginning to justify the hype around him.
Wong was touted as a future star after playing SG Ball and NSW Cup last year but his rising stature since debuting in the NRL and interest from rival clubs have convinced the Roosters to act swiftly to lock him away with a sizeable upgrade, and an extension to his contract.
Wong is contracted to the Roosters until the end of next year but becomes a free agent in November. He is currently on a bargain-basement salary of around $180,000 this year and the Roosters know they’ll have to increase that considerably.
The Roosters have opened discussions with Wong’s management to upgrade his contract for next year before any other clubs can formally table an offer.
Part of the reason the Roosters will consider releasing back-rower Angus Crichton to rugby union is because of the money he will free up in the salary cap to upgrade and extend Wong, as well as rising prop Terrell May, who is on a deal worth around $200,000 next year.
Siua Wong in action against the Sharks.Credit: Getty
Wong’s unique background gives him no shortage of options, with experience playing in rugby union and rugby league and eligibility to play for five different countries: Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.
Wong was raised in Christchurch in New Zealand, and has a Fijian father and Tongan mother.
He was brought to Sydney by the Roosters as a 15-year-old and attended Scots College, where he played for Roosters junior sides and became a star schoolboy rugby player in the GPS competition, like teammates Angus Crichton and Billy Smith.
The NSW Waratahs offered Wong a deal to play rugby after he left school in 2021, according to informed sources, but he signed a three-year deal with the Roosters.
Informed sources in Australian rugby say Wong remains on high on the list of players the governing body wants to lure back to rugby, however, and will use the 2025 Lions tour and 2027 Rugby World Cup as bait.
The New Zealand Rugby Union are also interested in Wong, according to informed sources, with incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson an admirer of the 107kg utility.
It’s unclear whether rugby is a serious option for Wong but union-bound Roosters teammate Joseph Suaalii is one of his close friends, as are several players in the Waratahs system.
New Zealand is also pushing hard for Wong to play for the Kiwis in rugby league, with coach Michael Maguire having recently met with the 20-year-old to discuss his international future.
Wong played for the Fiji Bati at the Rugby League World Cup last year but is weighing up playing for the Kiwis in the Pacific Tests matches against Australia and Samoa in October, or playing for Tonga on their three-game tour of the UK.
He is ineligible to play State of Origin but in theory could play for the Kangaroos via residency.
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