Rugby league: Joseph Suaalii set to sign $2 million deal with South Sydney Rabbitohs

Joseph Suaalii with Wayne Bennett and John Sutton. Photo / Twitter

Teenage cross-code sensation Joseph Suaalii is set to become the youngest millionaire in rugby league history.

On Sunday, The Daily Telegraph reported Suaalii will sign a four-year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs worth $2 million.

The 16-year-old will therefore earn $500,000 a season, and has been tipped to eventually replace Latrell Mitchell at fullback for the Rabbitohs.

The cross-code phenom has already represented New South Wales in rugby league, rugby union, AFL and basketball.

Suaalii was playing for the Kings School's first XV side at 14 years of age. He also represented the New South Wales Schoolboys Sevens and Australian under 18s Sevens teams before his 16th birthday.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie reportedly offered the 197cm giant a three-year contract with the New South Wales Waratahs when he turned 18.

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly is not allowed to sign Suaalii until August, but is eager for the opportunity to lock him in.

"He's not just a very good player; he's a great kid from a beautiful family," Solly said.

"He's just the sort of young person you want at your club."

Rabbitohs General Manager of Football Shane Richardson touted Suaalii as a future star in February 2019.

Rabbitohs General Manager Shane Richardson. Photo / Getty

"Joseph has the body shape and skill levels that extend well beyond his years, but most importantly, he has a desire to achieve everything he can in rugby league through hard work and persistence," Richardson said.

"It's exciting to see young talent like Joseph in the red and green, showing the Rabbitohs are the club of choice for young talent in our game and young players from other codes, and I'm sure our members will also enjoy watching them progress through the years."

First-grade players must be 18 years of age, meaning Suaalii is not eligible to make his NRL debut until August next year.

Former South Sydney star Craig Wing is adamant Suaalii will live up to expectations, and described him as a combination of Sonny Bill Williams and Greg Inglis.

"The thing that really stands out with Joseph is he's got the physique of a 19-year-old already," Wing said in February.

"When he moves he's really well balanced, he's got a great running technique and he glides across the ground.

Craig Wing. Photo / Photosport

"If I was to sum him up I would say he's like a combination of Sonny Bill Williams and Greg Inglis, if you put those two together.

"He's got great ball skills, really tough, good in the air, awesome offload — he's got everything.

"He's definitely going to be a star of the future. The thing that really impresses me the most is he's selfless.

"He works as hard as anyone then he's carrying the water around for everyone during a break. He's very, very driven. He's a leader.

"The feedback I've heard out of Souths is he's like the Terminator.

"When I was playing I didn't see any kids as talented as Joseph is.

"All the hype is not undeserved. I do think he'll live up to expectations."

Rabbitohs great Sam Burgess also praised Suaalii's courage while training alongside the first-grade squad during the recent off-season.

"In the pre-season we tested him out with a bit of physical stuff and he responded," Burgess said.

"He was ripping in with all the contact drills with the big boys. He's got courage you don't normally see in kids until they grow up."