Hull KR will be facing off against the very best team in the world come February, warns ex-Brisbane Broncos man Tyson Smoothy.
Smoothy was part of the Brisbane side that won the NRL Grand Final last month, coming off the bench at the Accor Stadium in Sydney to play in the halves following injuries to Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt. It was a special way to end his time at the Broncos, with the 26-year-old leaving the NRL to join Wakefield Trinity on a three-year deal after that game.
Of course, the Grand Final win cements Brisbane’s spot in the World Club Challenge and after agreeing to make the journey over to the UK to take on Super League champions Hull KR in February, that game will go ahead for the first time since 2024.
A sold out MKM Stadium awaits the Broncos with Michael Maguire’s team set to travel with superstars such as Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan, while R360-linked Payne Haas is also still on the Brisbane books.
Smoothy will be paying close attention to that game, of course, and he might even make the trip to East Yorkshire, an hour or so from his new home, to watch his former teammates – if he can get hold of a ticket, that is.
And, he has told Hull KR what they can expect from the Broncos at the start of next year.
Wakefield Trinity recruit Tyson Smoothy on the World Club Challange
“I think so,” Smoothy told Serious About RL when asked if Hull KR would be facing the best team in the world. “They’re going to be tough.
“You saw the style of footy that they and it’s exciting. It’s different to a lot of teams and they obviously use the footy a fair bit but it’s going to be a tough challenge.”
Smoothy spent time in the youth ranks at the Broncos and had spells at Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm before returning to what can probably be considered his local team ahead of the 2023 season. He made 42 appearances for the Broncos and scored two tries.
“That group has been together for a while and a lot of those boys played U20s and came through,” he added.
“I played U20s with a fair few of those boys too. They’ve been through a lot. They’ve won wooden spoons and done all the tough times but throughout the years they’ve just built a connection and I think that helps, we got lucky enough to win the comp.
“I was there for three years and there’s probably no better way to end your time there. It does make it hard to leave with the success, but I’m looking forward to the opportunities.”
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