Sydney Roosters' Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith has made a cheeky plea for Blues and All Blacks midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to return to the NRL.
Former league star Tuivasa-Sheck switched codes in 2022, but has been linked with a move back, when his NZ Rugby deal ends after this year's World Cup.
Tuivasa-Sheck is expected to stay in rugby union, with a move to Japan on the cards, but hasn't stopped Smith from a tongue-in-cheek attempt to lure him back, after Roosters teammate Joseph Suaalii's big-money move to Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs in 2024.
The deal is reportedly worth A$1.6 million per season, as Wallabies coach Eddie Jones makes good on his promise to recruit NRL stars.
With cap space freed up, Smith cannot help himself, when asked about the reports of Tuivasa-Sheck's potential return.
"Coming to the Roosters," he jokingly told former NRL player James Graham on the Bye Round Podcast. "We got 1.6m freed up."
Graham's prompt came after the pair were fawning over the former Roosters and NZ Warriors' time in the NRL.
"These one-metre short sides and he somehow turns them into tries," quipped Smith. "I'm glad he's over at rugby, he can stay there."
Not even England great Graham was spared during his tenures with Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Dragons.
"I had a few air swings at Roger in my time," he said. "Not even the tackle, it's just the concentration you have to have if you kick chase, you have to concentrate."
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