The $400k figure Roosters will weigh up to shift big-money recruits

The Roosters are preparing to pay around $400,000 to move on big-name recruits Brandon Smith and Dominic Young as the former edges closer to a mid-season move to South Sydney.

Negotiations between Smith’s camp and the Roosters have centred around the amount the Roosters will need to pay in order for Smith, still recovering from an ACL rupture, to join the Rabbitohs before June 30.

The Rabbitohs have limited salary cap space to fit the Kiwi international in this season before taking up his two-year deal for 2026 and 2027.

The Roosters have already paid Smith around $400,000 of his estimated $800,000 contract this season. Recent talks have centred on the two foundation clubs splitting the remainder of his 2025 wage to secure the 28-year-old early.

Recent talks have centred on how the two foundation clubs split the remainder of his 2025 wage to secure the 28-year-old early, with Smith on Wednesday referencing a $40,000 sticking point in his early release.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing negotiations have confirmed that the Roosters and Rabbitohs are haggling over each club paying around the $170,000 to $200,000 mark.

Roosters hooker Brandon Smith.Credit: Getty Images

Asked if he had played his last game for the Roosters, Smith told The Bye Round podcast: “It definitely looks that way. Looks like I’m not really wanted.

“It’s going to be hard to go to training. It’s going to be a weird feeling.

“Things have been happening in the background but I haven’t been part of the negotiations. Something has happened overnight and my manager rang me this morning and told me.

“Nothing is official yet and we’ve still got a lot of things to sort out beforehand – like where my 40k is gonna go.”

Smith, along with star halfback Sam Walker, is due to return to play before the June 30 transfer deadline and would be a welcome reinforcement for the injury-ravaged Rabbitohs.

The news comes after English international Young was granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs around his own early release.

The Roosters are willing to chip in a sum around $200,000 for Young to move on as well after the prospect of an early release was raised by the flyer’s management.

Young’s old club, Newcastle, is his most likely destination, though the Knights’ interest hinges on the Roosters contributing to Young’s salary.

The Tricolours have several emerging forwards including Naufahu White and Blake Steep, who they will look to upgrade while a bid for Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans remains in play.

Young is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027, but has likely played his last game for the club after falling back in the pecking order of outside backs. The 23-year-old is languishing in the NSW Cup, despite scoring 25 tries in 29 games for the club.

Roosters winger Dom Young appears poised to leave Bondi Junction.Credit: Getty

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has recently preferred Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia and rugby recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase as his three-quarter options. By informing Young he is free to look around, the winger has the chance to find a new club before the June 30 deadline window closes.

The Knights never wanted Young to leave, and have always been open to the prospect of welcoming him back should he become available.

Bennett shakes up Bunnies in bid to snap losing streak

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has replaced his entire front row for Friday’s clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, as pressure mounts on the Rabbitohs to arrest a four-game losing run.

After their 30-4 trouncing by Newcastle last week, Bennett has dropped prop Junior Tatola to 18th man and relegated Davvy Moale to the interchange bench. Hooker Peter Mamouzelos was unavailable because of a dislocated elbow.

Wayne Bennett has dropped Junior Tatola to 18th man for the clash against Brisbane.Credit: NRL Photos

In their absence, Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi will be the Rabbitohs’ starting props, while experienced Siliva Havili has been named at hooker. Tatola has gone from caretaker captain to out of the 17 within a week.

Bennett, meanwhile, has welcomed back Latrell Mitchell from a one-game suspension and immediately reinstated him at fullback, replacing the dynamic Jye Gray, who drops back to the interchange bench.

Halfback Jamie Humphreys has also been recalled after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for the past four games. He will partner Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Cody Walker and Jack Wighton on the injured list.

In contrast to Bennett, Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has shown faith in the Broncos, retaining the majority of his squad who were thumped 32-8 by Penrith last week. Their only change is the inclusion of Fletcher Baker on the bench.

Maguire resisted the urge to rush back Ezra Mam, who has completed a nine-game suspension for a drug-driving offence. Mam will instead return in the Queensland Cup.

In other team news, David Fifita appears set to continue serving his reserve grade penance after being left out for the second consecutive week by Gold Coast coach Des Hasler for their clash with the Knights in Newcastle on Friday.

Canterbury have welcomed Matt Burton back from suspension for their blockbuster showdown with the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday.

St George Illawarra teenager Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga will make his top-grade debut against the Warriors at WIN Stadium on Saturday, replacing injured Emre Guler. Experienced winger Dallin Watene-Zalezniak returns for the Warriors.

Premiers Penrith will receive a double boost before taking on the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday, with Brian To’o returning from a hamstring injury and hooker Mitch Kenny available after serving a suspension.

Manly stars Jake Trbojevic and Jason Saab return from injury to take on Cronulla at Brookvale on Sunday.

Cronulla centre interested in joining best of British in Ashes series

He’s a proud Cook Islander, but emerging Cronulla centre KL Iro has expressed interest in representing England in the end-of-season Ashes series against the Kangaroos.

Iro qualifies for a possible England call-up because he was born in Leeds in 2000 while his father Kevin – one of the best centres of his era – was playing for Super League heavyweights St Helens.

Emerging Cronulla centre KL Iro was born in England.Credit: Getty Images

While KL remains committed to helping the Cook Islands qualify for the 2026 World Cup, he admitted the prospect of playing for England held appeal – especially given Australia are set to embark on a three-Test tour of the Old Dart for the first time in 22 years.

Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos will play Tests at Wembley, Everton and Headingley and, judging by early ticket sales, huge crowds are anticipated for what shapes as a landmark series.

Asked if he would be interested in representing the land of his birth, Iro replied: “Yeah, for sure. I’m not sure if I’m eligible. I’m not sure how it works.

“But, yeah, I wouldn’t say no ... I would never say no to that, bro. I think it’s pretty cool if you could do that.”

The 25-year-old has strung together 29 NRL games for the Sharks, scoring 12 tries – including six in five games this season.

Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has played six Tests for England and presumably will be one of the first players picked to face the Kangaroos.

Farnworth partnered Harry Newman, of Leeds Rhinos, in last year’s home series against Samoa, which the Lions won 2-0.

Herbie Farnworth is likely to be the first centre chosen for England in the Test series against Australia.Credit: AP

Other NRL-based players likely to feature for England include Roosters duo Victor Radley and Dominic Young, Canberra forwards Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholson, Newcastle back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul and North Queensland veteran John Bateman.

Roosters half Sam Walker and Canterbury prop Max King are both also eligible because, like Iro, they were born in England while their fathers were playing in the Super League.

After his dad retired in 2001, the Iros returned to Rarotonga, where KL spent most of his childhood before eventually moving to Auckland, and then Australia. He has since represented the Cook Islands in eight internationals.

“Cook Islands is my strong point, and that’s where I grew up, and that’s my culture … after my career, I probably want to move back there as well,” Iro said.

He added that his “main goal” this year was to help the Aitu in their World Cup quest, and hopefully provide young Cook Islanders with inspiration.

“When I was growing up back there, I always had my dad as a role model to follow, so I hope that I can be, like, a role model for the younger kids that it is possible to get out of the island and achieve good things,” he said.

Iro explained his recent decision to change from his Christian name of Kayal to “KL”, saying it was partly because it was often mispronounced, but also a tribute to his father, who was christened Kevin Leslie Iro.

“My dad always wanted that, and I like it that way too, because it’s easier to pronounce,” he said. “There’s no confusion around pronunciation and stuff like that as well.

“When I first moved to Australia, my dad always wanted me to change it. I’m a shy guy, so, like, I’m just too scared to step on anyone’s toes ... but I guess I’ve built a relationship with these fellas now, so I thought I’d just ask a question and they got it done pretty quick.”

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