Smith trained with the Roosters reserve grade side on Wednesday and hopes to be in cardinal and myrtle by this time next week, with a return to playing still six weeks away.

The foundation clubs are haggling over the breakdown of Smith’s final $400,000 for this season, with the Roosters pushing for South Sydney to pay around $200,000 as the Bunnies argue for $30,000 less.

Adding to the fun of this week’s news, a photo of Smith signing a document at a cafe has done the rounds in rugby league circles.

Smith confirmed that the paparazzi snap was part of his promotion of Nando’s new mac and cheese, and could only laugh at the timing of his “signing” with the restaurant chain.

The 28-year-old said he understands the Roosters “business decision” to let him go early to prioritise extending Naufahu Whyte and Blake Steep - “because if they let them go on the open market, they’re in trouble”.

Smith’s on and off-field fit at the glamour club has been regularly questioned, though he did answer those concerns with his best form last year after he was breached for missing a team mid-season review.

The one-time Dally M hooker of the year joined the Roosters to play dummy-half, given he couldn’t shift Australian and Queensland No.9 Harry Grant at Melbourne.

He couldn’t care less where he plays under Wayne Bennett though. Just that he’s feeling the love in a relationship even Smith is surprised at being rekindled given he left Bennett hanging on a Dolphins deal in 2021.

“We’ve had many talks, me and Wayne,” Smith grinned.

“But some of them didn’t go so well a few years ago. We haven’t had too many chats lately but every time we do, it’s pretty straight to the point.

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“Souths want me, and they’re keen to have me. And it shows in their interest right now. As soon as they found out [about the potential early release], they rang me straight away.

“I was coming home from [Angus Crichton’s] wedding so I was having a lot of big conversations with Robbo and Wayne with a lot of emotions running for me.

“At this point in my career I don’t really give a damn where I play position-wise. I’ll play wherever I’m needed, it’s just nice to be wanted.”

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