Coleman defended Rugby Australia’s splurge to secure Suaalii on a price rumoured to sitaround the $1.5 million per season mark,which would make the Roosters wing the highest-paid player in the country when he links up with theWallabies in October next year. Critics have suggested the money would be better spent on junior development.

“I’ve always felt if you’re building an organisation or when I’ve gone to teams that are struggling,that you have to build from both ends,” he said.

“You can’t just go grassroots and wait for them to bear fruit,you lose people along the way because there’s no role models. And if you just add at the top you’ve got no base. I firmly believe you have to build a franchise from both ends.”

Coleman said the news had not made waves in the NSW squad because Suaalii’s arrival was still two seasons in the future.

“If I don’t get winning this year,I won’t be there in 2025 to coach him,” he said,only half-jokingly. “My focus is looking after the boys now and getting our season back on track. I spoke to[Waratahs captain Jake Gordon] this morning,he said it’s not really rating a mention in their chats.

“I think sport needs heroes and role models. When I told my boy this morning,who’s a Roosters and Waratahs fan,he was stoked. Just seeing that reaction,it hit home what the positives of having those high-profile superstars will do.”

Jorgensen will return from a shoulder injury to play the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday,and could be joined by five-eighth and fullback Will Harrison,who has been battling a toe injury.

The Waratahs haven’t won in Canberra since 2018 and have lost their past three matches to languish in the bottom four on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.

Coleman conceded his top-four hopes were fading by the day but said finals footy was still on the cards for his side.

“I don’t think our season will be defined by this week,” he said. “We made some good steps on Friday night and we want to continue that progression. We’ve got five of our final eight matches at home and really only Auckland and the Crusaders are top teams out of those last eight.

“I feel we’ve weathered the worst of the storm and we’ve got a good run home that we’ll be able to build through.”

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