In a shocking move that has sent ripples through the rugby league community, Brandon Smith, star hooker for the Roosters, has confirmed his defection to fierce rivals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The 28-year-old standout player has signed a two-year deal with the Rabbitohs starting from the 2026 season, amidst ongoing speculation about his future with the Roosters following a knee surgery that has kept him sidelined this season.
Despite being the Roosters’ $850,000-a-season star, Smith has yet to make his season debut after undergoing surgery. It is understood that the club indicative of his declining future there encouraged him to seek opportunities elsewhere, leading to this major transfer to the Rabbitohs, a decision that adds yet another layer of rivalry to an already heated competition.
The terms of the contract reportedly worth $650,000 per season were finalized on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, after he successfully passed a medical examination with the Rabbitohs. This deal marks a significant move for Smith, who has achieved a 70% success rate throughout his career in the NRL, namely highlighting his reputation as a high-caliber player.
Mark Ellison, the Rabbitohs’ Head of Recruitment and Retention, expressed his excitement over the acquisition, stating, “Brandon has a wonderful record of success in the NRL and at international level, having a 70% success rate across his career. He improves the players around him and gives 100% every time he steps on the field, and is a great character off the field.” He further noted that Smith would have the chance to work closely with the well-respected Wayne Bennett, who has high regard for the talented player.
As fate would have it, Smith’s history with Bennett is a complicated one, having previously committed to signing with the Redcliffe club—a move that ended on rocky terms. Despite this, Smith has expressed on James Graham’s podcast, The Bye Round, his eagerness to work under Bennett once again: “Yes, I did see the interest from Wayne Bennett. Hopefully, it’s real interest. I’m stoked that he’s interested in me, but to be fair we had a pretty rough relationship.” The acknowledgment of a tumultuous past suggests that there might be more to their professional relationship ahead.
However, the departure of Smith from the Roosters is not without its challenges, given the context of rivalry. The Roosters organization is reportedly willing to expedite Smith’s exit to allow him to start at South Sydney earlier than 2026, particularly since he isn’t expected to return until at least Round 15 of this season. Veteran journalist Brent Read has voiced a consensus that Smith has already played his last match for the Roosters, indicating a shift in strategy aimed at planning for future seasons.
It’s been reported that the Roosters may contribute financially to facilitate Smith’s move in ways that would free salary cap space, balancing their financial obligations with this dramatic shift in team dynamics. While exiting mid-season is a sensitive topic, particularly with a rival, it appears the Roosters are more concerned with financial implications than the emotional weight of this decision.
The discussions around Smith’s future have been rampant among fans and analysts alike, given his pivotal role in the Roosters’ past successes. How he'll handle this transition to a side that is traditionally viewed as a historical foe remains uncertain but given his talent, the Rabbitohs will undoubtedly find ways to integrate him into their plans.
The move has stirred up excitement among Rabbitohs’ supporters, many of whom see this acquisition as an essential building block for future success in the league, especially under coach Wayne Bennett’s guidance. Fans are optimistic about Smith's potential contribution on both sides of the ball, as well as his ability to strengthen the squad's overall performance.
In conclusion, Brandon Smith's transition to the Rabbitohs represents not merely a change in jerseys but a significant movement in NRL dynamics. His career trajectory, underscored by competitive intensity and even personal histories, will be keenly observed in the seasons to come, as both the player and fans alike await to see if this move will lead to more trophies and accolades on the horizon for South Sydney.
