Brandon Smith (rugby league)


Brandon Smith also known by the nicknames of "Block of Cheese" or "Hectic Cheese", is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a, and for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He has also represented New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori at international level.

Early life

Smith was born in Waiheke Island, New Zealand, and is of Cook Islands and Māori descent.
He played his junior rugby league for the Waiheke Rams and Bay Roskill Young Guns in New Zealand.
He moved to Townsville as a teenager because his brother Dylan Smith had an under 20s contract with the North Queensland Cowboys. In Townsville, he was educated at Kirwan State High School, Townsville where he played school-level football. He continued playing junior league with Centrals Tigers and Brothers in Townsville.

Playing career

Smith played for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Youth Competition for two seasons. In May 2016, he played for the 2016 Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos. In September 2016, he was named at hooker in the Team of the Year. He signed a 3-year contract with the Melbourne Storm in the following month.

2017

On 30 April, Smith was named in the New Zealand national team's 20-man squad for the 2017 Anzac Test.
He made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the Knights in round 13, scoring a try. On 24 July, he signed a major contract extension with Melbourne, tying him to the club until the end of 2022, with the intention of his becoming Cameron Smith’s replacement as hooker.

2018

At the beginning of the season he was part of the Melbourne Storm victorious 2018 World Club Challenge Team. In round 23, against the Eels, Smith demonstrated his gritty character by playing a vital role for his depleted team, displaying determination to win with an injured knee. Brandon was also part of the Melbourne Storm team that played in the 2018 NRL Grand Final.
On 13 October, Smith made his international debut for the New Zealand national rugby league team against the Australian Kangaroos in Auckland

2019

Smith played 23 games for Melbourne in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished as runaway minor premiers. Smith played in the club's preliminary final loss to the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

2020

Smith was selected as a part of the Māori All Stars winning team on the Gold Coast at the NRL All-Stars Match. He was awarded the Preston Campbell Medal for his two tries man of the match performance. After the game it was revealed that Smith had suffered a facial fracture and was ruled out for 4-6 weeks.
On 2 July, in Round 8 of the Telstra Premiership, Smith played his 50th NRL game on Thursday Night Football against the Roosters. Smith started at hooker for the game.