Brisbane Times

Greg Inglis has already done Queenslanders a 'fair favour' by wearing maroon during Origin, Cameron Smith says. Photo: Steve Christo

Sure he turned his back on the Broncos, but that doesn't make Bunnies-bound Greg Inglis a bad Queenslander, according to Test hooker Cameron Smith.

Inglis's Maroons and former Melbourne Storm teammate admitted being caught off-guard by the star centre's decision to join South Sydney, despite pledging his allegiance to Brisbane in August.

The Rabbitohs this morning confirmed a three-year deal worth a reported $1.8 million.

The move is sure to boil the blood of many a Broncos fan who had hoped Inglis would fill the gaping hole in Brisbane's backline left by AFL-bound Israel Folau.

With the first Broncos-Rabbitohs clash scheduled in Sydney in round 16 next season, fans won't get a chance to vent their anger until Souths visit Suncorp Stadium in August for a round 25 clash.

However the 23-year-old will be in action in Brisbane in Queensland colours during the State of Origin series in May.

The Queensland faithful threw their weight behind Inglis after it was revealed he was the subject of racial slurs by Blues assistant coach Andrew Johns in the lead-up to the match.

He responded by scoring a try in an inspirational performance that led the Maroons to a series-clinching 34-6 victory.

But his latest move may cool the relationship with fans.

Smith today reminded disgruntled supports north of the border that Kempsey-born Inglis is a Maroon by choice.

“Fans have got to remember that he was born in New South Wales but he decided to play for Queensland so he's done them a fair favour there,” he said ahead of tomorrow night's Four Nations final against New Zealand.

“The Broncos fans would have been disappointed that they didn't end up getting Greg, because he would have been one of the biggest signings they have ever had in the history of the club.

“Come Origin time it's a different game. He's representing Queensland. He's not representing any club side.”

Forced out of Melbourne after the salary cap scandal that relegated the Storm to the 2010 NRL wooden spoon, Inglis was courted by numerous clubs convinced he would be the answer to their premiership aspirations.

However it was Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen who fronted reporters on August 10 trumpeting the prize catch.

But wrangling with the Storm over a legal bill, disillusionment with the move to Brisbane and a belated courtship by Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe eventually saw Inglis swap Red Hill for Redfern.

Smith said he was surprised by the move, but Inglis would still have the backing of himself and the remaining members of Melbourne's big four: Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

“It was a bit of a shock that he didn't sign with the Broncos, that's where I thought he was going to be,” he said.

“But obviously he's made a decision that he's got a better opportunity in Sydney playing for the Rabbitohs.

“I stand behind his decision and I know Billy and Cooper are the same, as with all the people from the Storm.”