'It's highway robbery!': New Zealand-born NRL star James Tamou refuses to become an Australian citizen because it's too expensive - despite earning $20,000 a game to play for his adopted nation

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Australian Prop James Tamou certainly isn't short of a dollar, but the big man has balked at the $1,000 price of becoming an Australian citizen.

Tamou, 27, who was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was 13, earns about $550,000 a season as well as $30,000 for each State of Origin game he plays and $20,000 per test for Australia - and that's without sponsorship money. 

But despite earning at least $600,000 per season, Tamou believes the $1000 it would cost him to become a fully-fledged citizen of the nation he plays for is just too expensive.

James Tamou (above) will line up for Australia against New Zealand on Friday night in Newcastle, NSW

While he began his application for Australian citizenship in 2013, the expense saw him give up.

'It’s going to cost me around a thousand bucks. It’s a rip-off. It’s highway robbery,' Tamou told The Courier-Mail 

'It’s just so bl***y expensive.'

Tamou said he would rather spend the money he saved on his children, because citizenship was 'just a piece of paper'.

Tamou is off contract with the North Queensland Cowboys at the end of the year and has already attracted plenty of interest from rival teams - potentially earning him even more money.

Despite earning $600,000 a year, Tamou said the $1000 it would cost him to become a citizen was 'too expensive'

James Tamou pictured with wife Brittney said he would rather spend the money he saved on his children, because citizenship was 'just a piece of paper'

Tamou is off contract with the North Queensland Cowboys at the end of the year and has already attracted plenty of interest from rival teams.

Tamou’s wife Brittney McGlone is expecting the couples third child and a move back to Sydney where Tamou first setlled could be a big draw card for the 27-year-old.

Tamou’s wife Brittney McGlone is expecting the couples third child and a move back to Sydney where Tamou first setlled could be a big draw card for the 27-year-old.

The Cowboys are keen to keep the enforcer and are expected to table Tamou a three year deal but if that fails the Panthers, Roosters and St George Illawarra are all keen to snare the New South Wales prop.

Tamou will come off the bench for the Kangaroos in Friday nights Anzac Test against New Zealand in Newcastle.

Tamou will come off the bench for the Kangaroos in Friday nights Anzac Test against New Zealand in Newcastle.

The Cowboys are keen to keep the enforcer and are expected to table Tamou a three year deal but if that fails the Panthers, Roosters and St George Illawarra are all keen to snare the New South Wales prop.