The Rich List: Who Are The Highest Paid Players In The NRL?

With so many high profile NRL players now commanding hefty paycheques we thought we’d put together a list of the highest-paid players and evaluate if they’re worth the price tag.

Every NRL fan knows that their team needs at least one high profile player in their team if they’re any chance of winning a Grand Final but with so many players now demanding big dollars it is always debated on whether a player is worth the money.

Let’s take a look at the top 12 highest-paid players according to the experts at Fox Sports and Zero Tackle.

12. Jason Taumololo

• Team: North Queensland Cowboys
• Age: 27
• Position: Lock
• Yearly salary: $950,000
• Contracted until: 2027

The Tongan wrecking ball’s ability to break through the defensive line and consistently charge for 250m+ per game means he can command big dollars.

Is he worth the money: Yes!

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11. Shaun Johnson

• Team: Cronulla Sharks
• Age: 29
• Position: Halfback
• Yearly salary: $1 million
• Contracted until: 2022

The Kiwi international hit the ground running in his early seasons and had defensive lines shaking with his explosiveness and kicking ability.

He has been mixing his form of late but when we see his best we certainly see why Cronulla pay the big dollars

Is he worth the money: Not on current form

10. Nathan Cleary

• Team: Penrith Panthers
• Age: 22
• Position: Halfback
• Yearly salary: $1 million
• Contracted until: 2023

Cleary has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons and many wondered how he would cope with no James Maloney is the Penrith lineup but he has certainly answered his critics this season with his impressive playmaking and kicking ability.

Is he worth the money: Yes!

9. Ash Taylor

• Team: Gold Coast Titans
• Age: 25
• Position: Halfback
• Yearly salary: $1 million
• Contracted until: 2021

The Titans were keen to have Ash Taylor steering their side around the park and had to offer the big dollars to acquire his signature.

He has his work cut out for him with the Titans struggling for form in 2020.

Is he worth the money: Debatable

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8. Mitchell Pearce

• Team: Newcastle Knights
• Age: 31
• Position: Halfback
• Yearly salary: $1 million
• Contracted until: 2022

Pearce was quickly snapped up by Newcastle after he left Sydney and he has certainly brought some flare and direction in attack which the Knights were lacking but his critics still claim he is a man that cracks under pressure and they want to see him do it in the finals should the Knights make it.

Is he worth the money: This season will tell us

7. James Tedesco

• Team: Sydney Roosters
• Age: 27
• Position: Fullback
• Yearly salary: $1 million
• Contracted until: 2022

The man commonly referred to as the best player in the game commands big dollars from the Roosters and rightly so.

It would be fair to say that he would be paid a lot more to be with many other clubs but it’s clear he is a man that is also chasing premiership rings.

Is he worth the money: Absolutely

6. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

• Team: Warriors
• Age: 27
• Position: Fullback
• Yearly salary: $1.1 million
• Contracted until: 2022

Tuivasa-Scheck made the move from the Roosters after showing great potential at the Roosters and has certainly lived up to the hefty price tag.

Is he worth the money: Yes

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5. Cameron Smith

• Team: Melbourne Storm
• Age: 37
• Position: Hooker
• Yearly salary: $1.1 million
• Contracted until: 2020

He may be 37 but Smith is still showing that he is a mastermind and his ability to control a game is second to none.

The way he is currently playing there is no reason he should stop playing before he’s 40!

Is he worth the money: Yes

4. Ben Hunt

• Team: St George Illawarra Dragons
• Age: 30
• Position: Halfback / Hooker
• Yearly salary: $1.2 million
• Contracted until: 2022

Hunt was headhunted by Paul McGregor after he was on the outer at the Broncos and it was thought that he would be the answer to the Dragons’ playmaking woes.

His form at halfback has always been up and down and currently finds himself playing at hooker.

Is he worth the money: A straight no

3. Kieran Foran

• Team: Canterbury Bulldogs
• Age: 30
• Position: Five-Eighth
• Yearly salary: $1.2 Million
• Contracted until: 2021

Foran burst onto the scene at Manly and many thought he would become the best player in the game.

A string of injuries and disappointing seasons has stopped that thought in its tracks.

Is he worth the money: Not currently

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2. Daly Cherry-Evans

• Team: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
• Age: 31
• Position: Halfback
• Yearly salary: $1.3 million
• Contracted until: 2023

Manly jumped at the opportunity to sign Cherry-Evans on a lifetime deal and they knew they’d have to offer the big dollars to seal the deal.

His ability to steer his side around the park not to mention his kicking game is up there with the best.

Is he worth the money: Yes

1. Kalyn Ponga

• Team: Newcastle Knights
• Age: 21
• Position: Fullback
• Yearly salary: $1.5 million
• Contracted until: 2024

Arguably the most exciting young talent in the game, Ponga is known as a ‘ankle breaker’ with his lethal stepping ability and his explosive speed.

The Knights recently renewed his contract and with Rugby Union knocking on the door they had to make him the highest-paid player in the game.

Is he worth the money: Yes

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