Apparently, it's been reported in Aus and over here that we've signed hooker Tyson Smmothy from Brisbane for the 2026 season. Fits in with our overseas recruitment young, and ambitious and has come through Brisbane's youth grade and then 1st grade for Melbourne, then moved back To the Broncos in 2023 for 31 games, including playing 18 games in the 2024 NRL season They have too many 9's for next season so it appears we've snapped him up. Good move if it's all legit, no reason it shouldn't be as it's coming straight from Aus.



[urlhttps://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-tyson-smoothy-signs-super-league-deal-wakefield-trinity-brisbane-broncos-hooker-battle-signings-rumours-reports/news-story/164413d8d565decd86acc5f3df4bf7a4[/url

[urlhttps://www.totalrl.com/brisbane-broncos-hooker-tyson-smoothy-completes-super-league-move-for-2026/[/url

It's a long time since we've had someone of his calibre from Oz in their prime.

Has been selected to play in the pre season trail match against the Gold Coast Titans. The game is on Sky Sports very early on Sunday morning 04:30 I believe

Great name, too

Please please please can we have Smooth operator song come on when he scores a try.

Interesting to note he played today in the ball playing 13 role for most of his time in the field today in his final preseason friendly.



He also looked to have bulked up in the offseason.



Whilst he is a 9 it’s good that he can cover multiple positions and I also think he could play in the halves too.

I like what I've seen so far.

We haven't actually announced that we've signed him but assuming we have we need to replace both Hood and Pitts eventually, probably 2026.....though Pitts looks like he is getting better with age.

I can see Pitts maybe going 1 more year but I think I’d look to spell him with 40 minutes next season. He has the skills but if we manage a top 40-50 minutes from him he’s worth a spot in the squad.

With regards to Jay Pitts, we should keep him going for as long as we can.

Experienced ball-playing Loose Forwards are like rocking horse dung, remember what a hole was left when Westerman went back to Cas.

I agree. He's proved his age isn't an issue this year. He stays until we get an equal replacement to me.

Hood is also 33 and had looked awesome in the games he’s played so far. Powell very much rates him. Be interesting to see if he goes round another year also!

Liam Hood is everything people praise him for, I also am a fan of his, but, he does get injured more & last season on his own admission he said he was near the end of his playing time etc.

It's like having the best drink you can but when there's no more left it leaves you feeling for more but there's no more left etc.

Think it is a bit like Lino you rate Hood or do not .Way past is best .Think the HKR game showed we have 2 young 9 that can do a great job and think Russell is a good shout for 9 can tackle as good as Hood and as a kicking game ,though on Thursday it was a bit of

Hood isn’t by any stretch past his best. He just needs spelling. You only need to watch the Leeds game to see the positive contributions he made.



I don’t agree with comparing the 9s and using them against each other. We should be celebrating the fact we have 3 good 9 options and a player in Russell who also looks good at 9. Just because you like a player or prefer a player more in a position does not ultimately mean another option is past their best or good enough. I’d be more than happy for any combination of the 4 at 9 come match day.

If we have signed Smoothy I highly doubt Hood will be here next year.



My bet he will have informed the club it will be his last season with us or vice versa so both have time to sort out how they move forward.



Carrying 5 lads who can play hooker doesn’t make cap sense.

I’d put money in Hood not being with us next year. I think he’s class - he’s fitter than he’s ever been and he still whacks in defence (sorry alegend, but the idea Russell tackles anything like Hood doesn’t add up to me). But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep improving and building for the future. Doyle is still growing, as is Smith obviously, so Smoothy seems the ideal replacement to lead the line for us. Great signing this.

I suppose this as been mentioned before but the SL are considering changing the quota rule from next season. It is unfortunately appears to be designed for the likes of Wigan etc. if a player has played six consecutive seasons in SL they are to be exempt however, time spent in the Championship will not count and also the six years start again.

A player does not need to play for just one team but they must all have been in SL.

That’s hardly fair at all. Top teams can almost have double quota can’t they? Can’t see that.

That doesn't sound very logical. I don't doubt what you are saying but do you have a link?

I'd have thought the 6 years would have been residency not playing rugby but who knows what they'll choose.

I don’t see how it is aimed at “top teams” using Wigan as an example like SP is also odd as they are one of the only clubs not using all their quota spots.



I am sure we will also be able to take advantage despite having some players who only just start to qualify this year when we look to recruit from other clubs.



I though to be honest don’t like the rule as it blocks the pathways for English players.



I’d like to see the quote lowered to 3 over the next 10 years not effectively increased.

I was reading an article about Ligi Sao and his possible end of season injury. This referenced that he was coming to the end of his contract but with the new quota rules looking to come in 2026 he would be exempt.

With the new rules Hull KR will be able to de-register Kelepi Tanganoa and even Rhyse Martin for example.

I thought I had read previously that the six year unbroken spell had to be with the same club... if it is not then long term UK residents with the six years will become valuable transfer targets