MARK ‘SPUDD’ CAROLL: State of Origin spotlight could leave Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii regretting NRL exit

I had to laugh when I read the headline above a story featuring former Rooster-turned-Waratah Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the eve of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

It screamed: Why Lions Test Beats Out Origin.

Suaalii was pictured in a Wallabies jumper in another desperate PR attempt to convince us he’s really enjoying life in rugby.

Sure, the Lions series is a big deal.

And, sure, JAS is getting paid the big dollars to play and spruik the code.

I get it and would have made the jump myself if the tweed coat brigade had come at me with suitcases full of cash.

But playing in a Lions series – as good as that will be – doesn’t sugarcoat the fact he’s got two and a half years to go in rugby.

That’s a lot of nights playing in front of a handful of fans as the Waratahs slide to yet another defeat.

Or attempting to revive the Wallabies’ flagging fortunes as we get handed our annual beatings from the All Blacks.

You can’t tell me Suaalii won’t be looking at Wednesday night’s Origin and thinking he’d love to be part of it.

His brief Origin debut last year made headlines after he flattened Reece Walsh and was sent off in what will go down as one the more infamous moments in State of Origin history.

I know it doesn’t have the international status rugby provides, but it’s the best footy you will find in either code.

Reputations are won and lost when NSW and Queensland go at it.

As Suaalii is finding out, rugby will be forever in rugby league’s shadow in this country.