Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii news: Cheeky Brandon Smith sparks cross-code slanging match

Brandon Smith’s jibes at departing Roosters teammate Joseph Suaalii haven’t gone down well, with his comments hitting a nerve with Rugby Australia bosses.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Joseph Suaalii passes during a Sydney Roosters NRL training session at Kippax Lake on February 28, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Larrikin Sydney Roosters star Brandon Smith took some cheeky swipes at Rugby Australia after teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii decided to take the “easy money then come back to the real sport”.

But Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan certainly isn’t laughing, labelling critics of the Suaalii’s defection a “bunch of cry babies”.

Smith couldn’t help but take at dig at the Wallabies and their “soft’’ sport for forking out a whopping $1.6 million a year for three seasons.

“That $1.6 million could have been spent better on the grassroots of rugby than grabbing our beautiful young Suaalii … a $1.6 million winger from the Roosters isn’t going to help (the Wallabies) beat the All Blacks,” he said.

Despite being born and raised in New Zealand, Smith said he only played one game of rugby and that “he was terrible”. He joked that his parents always thought rugby was “pretty soft”.

“Go over and get that easy money then come back to the real sport. I hope rugby likes that,” Smith said with a wink.

Brandon Smith gave one of the all-time great press conferences. Picture: Getty

Smith’s comments came after ARLC boss Peter V’landys said Suaalii would be “terribly bored” in rugby.

McLennan, who orchestrated the hiring of Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and then the poaching of Suaalii, said the criticism was “childish”.

“What a bunch of cry babies,” McLennan said. “They have completely thrown their toys out of the cot. Our elite players will earn more. We are in a different league as we are global with over 800 million people who follow the game and it is played in more than 100 countries.

“They can say what they want but we won’t be bullied.”

McLennan said he expected the NRL to come for his talent but maintained the global opportunities should result in some of the best rugby youngsters, such as Waratah rookie Max Jorgensen, staying.

“No doubt they will try and pick off somebody like Max,” McLennan said. “But we love him and his contract renewal will be when he’ll be on the cusp of playing on the Lions tour and then the Rugby World Cup in 2027, which league just can’t compete with.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has inked a massive deal with Rugby Australia – but is he the answer? Picture: NRL Photos

While Smith conceded Suaalii was a huge loss for the Roosters, he said the teenager was fully committed to the Tricolours’ title tilt in 2023, starting with an all-important clash against grand finalists Parramatta on Thursday night.

“We’ll get the most out of him we can (before he leaves), we’ll squeeze the lemon dry,” Smith said.

“He is committed to his craft, he’s a champion kid.”

Smith also couldn’t help but joke that Suaalii’s lucrative deal would be topic of conversation among teammates.

“I’ll be looking for a few feeds … holy heck … that’s so much money, but he deserves it,” Smith said.

“It’s good to see him be able to do that for his family and be able to support the ones he loves with all that money.

“It will only make him 24, 25, he can come straight back.”

Brandon Smith has saved Rugby Australia for their pursuit of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Picture: Getty

Like Suaalii, Smith’s former Melbourne Storm teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona also grew up playing union before switching codes to join the Victorian club.

Smith believes Jones has a genuine chance of striking another blow.

“I have definitely heard him (Asofa-Solomona) talk about it. I think he would be a really good rugby player. He’s got all the makings for pretty much any sport,” Smith said.

“I reckon he could have a crack at NFL, he’d be a nice little tight end. Whether he does it or not I don’t know, it would be hard for him to leave the Storm.”

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Originally published as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii news: Cheeky Brandon Smith sparks cross-code slanging match