South Sydney are prepared to let hyped 17-year-old prospect Joseph Suaalii leave for a rival club, if they receive a star Origin player in return.
Suaalii originally signed for Souths after a battle between multiple NRL clubs and Rugby Australia to gain his services, but has decided he wants to join the Sydney Roosters from 2021.
The schoolboy has the ability to walk for free in 2022, but has requested a move before next season with one year remaining on his deal.
League great Gary Belcher says the Rabbitohs are refusing to budge unless they receive star New South Wales representative Daniel Tupou in return.
“They’re going to lose him it looks like, Suaalii in 2022,” Belcher said on Sportsday.
“The Roosters have got the last laugh here, and Souths are hurting.
“This star kid that they did so well to get, having signed him for this year and next year as a young bloke.
“He can’t start playing until he’s 18, so the Rabbitohs will have him next year just getting him ready to start his career with the Roosters from 2022.
“It’s a tough one for them but they’re going to play hard ball.
“They’re not just going to let him go, you can’t just have him.”
While the Roosters are desperate to get hold of Suaalii, Belcher can’t see them letting Tupou leave after a strong State of Origin series.
“I can’t see them letting Daniel Tupou leave, he’s an absolute star,” he added.
“That’s some of the best football I’ve ever seen him play in that Origin series.”
The Roosters previously offered a $50,000 payment to secure Suaalii’s early release, but the Rabbitohs rejected, instead demanding the star winger.
If the Roosters aren’t prepared to offer Tupou, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the Rabbitohs will hold onto Suaalii for one more season.