Legendary Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater is against Joseph Suaalii getting an exemption to begin his NRL career before his 18th birthday at the Sydney Roosters.

Speaking on 2GB, Slater said it didn’t matter how physically developed the youngster was.

“I think you either lower the age or you just say, ‘Joseph, you’ve got five months until you’re 18. You’re going to get five games before the final series, that’s the rule and that’s what we’re sticking with,'” Slater said.

“I don’t think you can make rules for some and rules for others in this one.

“You can’t make an exemption for one player here. 18 is what they think is safe, it doesn’t matter how physically developed you are – I don’t know how they would measure an exemption. Five months away, just wait.

“I don’t even know why we can put an application for an exemption in?

“We shouldn’t be able to do that we shouldn’t be able to ask the question.”