LIVE: Smith needles Suaalii over rugby deal

Sydney Roosters guardant Brandon Smith poked amusive astatine teammate Joseph Suaalii's codification switch, telling reporters "a $1.6 cardinal winger from the Roosters isn't going to assistance (the Wallabies) bushed the All Blacks".

Suaalii signed with Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs, informing the Roosters he'll permission the NRL nine astatine the extremity of adjacent season.

The woody is reportedly worthy $1.6 cardinal per play – until the extremity of 2027 - which volition marque him Australia's highest-paid rugby subordinate successful history.

During a media league this weekend, Smith had a laughter with the media portion congratulating Suaalii connected the seven-figure deal.

He besides predicted the Roosters prima volition instrumentality to the game.

"I lone truly recovered retired astir it this morning. I saw a batch of worldly connected Instagram, but I conscionable heard the terms they paid arsenic well. Hopefully he'll beryllium shouting immoderate feeds for the boys," Smith laughed.

"Super stoked for him. He's an astonishing talent, and rugby truly got a gem there.

"He's lone gone for 3 years, I deliberation he'll beryllium astir 16 erstwhile helium comes back. So he'll beryllium capable to travel backmost to the Roosters hopefully and decorativeness retired his rugby league career.

"Go implicit and get that casual wealth past travel backmost to the existent sport," helium joked. "I anticipation rugby likes that."

Smith added: "My parents ever thought rugby was truly soft.

"That $1.6 cardinal could person been spent amended connected the grassroots of rugby than grabbing our beauteous young Suaalii … a $1.6 cardinal winger from the Roosters isn't going to assistance bushed the All Blacks.

"I conjecture it's an accidental for him to beryllium capable to look aft his loved ones and his household … he's highly professional, highly humble. I conscionable anticipation I get a fewer feeds retired of it."