NRL news: Sydney Roosters sign Parramatta’s Nathan Brown amid forward injury crisis

The Sydney Roosters have found the answer to their growing injury crisis - making a stunning early-season transfer for a former representative star.

Joseph Suaalii of the Roosters takes on the defence during the round one NRL match between the Dolphins and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Sydney Roosters have signed Parramatta forward Nathan Brown on a one-year contract.

The deal was finalised on Sunday morning after a medical examination at Roosters headquarters.

Parramatta will contribute a significant amount of his contract.

The Roosters desperately needed strengthening in the middle forwards after losing Matt Lodge for six weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

Brown played Origin for NSW in 2020 but played only 14 games for the Eels last year.

Brown is still recovering from a hamstring and will not be available for the blockbuster game against the Rabbitohs.

Victor Radley and Jared-Waerea Hargreaves will be back for the Souths game.

Nathan Brown (R) will leave the Eels immediately to link up with the Roosters. Picture: Getty

SUA’ALI’I V TEDDY: SIGNING LEAVES ROOSTERS IN AWKWARD POSITION

By Phil Rothfield

Young superstar Joseph Sua’ali’i has pledged his loyalty to the Sydney Roosters, setting up a battle with Kangaroos skipper James Tedesco for the club’s long-term fullback jersey.

Sua’ali’i rejected multimillion-dollar opportunities from rugby union to commit until the end of the 2024 season – at exactly the same time Tedesco is off contract.

This sets up an awkward situation for the Roosters.

At 19, Sua’ali’i is the obvious long-term option.

Tedesco is now 30 and has spoken of wanting a contract extension beyond 2024.

But how do the Roosters afford both, especially with Joey Manu, rated another million-dollar player.

News Corp can reveal Sua’ali’i informed Roosters boss Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson before Sunday’s match against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium of his decision to stay.

This is the positive story the Roosters desperately needed after Sunday’s thumping loss but one that will create debate over who plays in the number one jersey long term.

Sua’ali’i is the game’s most exciting young player since the likes of Brad Fittler, Laurie Daley and Greg Inglis first burst onto the scene.

Joseph Sua’ali’i has eyes on the No.1. Picture: NRL

James Tedesco. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

He is keen to play centre this year but at fullback down the track.

It is a huge coup, for not just the Roosters, but the NRL in that he is staying.

While he has committed until the end of 2024, the Roosters are hoping to lock him down on a long-term deal over the next 18 months.

Sua’ali’i has been Wallaby coach Eddie Jones’ No.1 target for months.

He could have earnt well over $1 million a year to make the switch.

Instead he is staying at the Roosters for around the $750,000 mark.

Sua’ali’i has often spoken about his relationship with Politis and Robinson as the reason why he wanted to stay.

However the rah rahs refuse to give up on the former schoolboy rugby prodigy.

The Wallabies host the British Lions in 2025 and host the World Cup here in 2027.