Brandon proves elusive prey

Warriors forced to play waiting game to entice highly rated Melbourne Storm rake across the Tasman, reports David Long.

The Warriors have missed out on what could have been one of the most significant signings in the club’s history.

Sunday Star-Times can reveal the Warriors were ready to swoop on Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith when it looked as if he was going to ask for an early release from the Melbourne Storm.

Smith could have been one of the faces of the Warriors for the next decade. He was the star in the Kiwis’ 26-24 win over the Kangaroos in October and has demonstrated he’s a player with a glittering career ahead of him.

The Waiheke Island-born Smith has been biding his time at the Storm since making his NRL debut with the club in 2017, waiting to eventually replace Cameron Smith.

But when the 35-year-old former Kangaroos captain signed a new two-year deal last month, Brandon’s wait until he could make the club’s No 9 jersey his own would have to continue until 2021.

It is believed once the veteran re-signed, the Warriors and a number of other NRL clubs were keen on picking up Smith, for this year or 2020 and offer him a guaranteed starting spot.

However, Storm coach Craig Bellamy had a conversation with Brandon to reassure him that he remains a big part of his plans and will be heavily involved in the 2019 campaign.

Smith is signed with the Storm until 2022 and, for now at least, won’t be asking for an early release.

The Warriors would have been the ideal club for Smith to join next season.

Issac Luke signed a oneyear deal with the Warriors in October. He was close to agreeing a deal with the Knights at that time, but he needed a shoulder operation which put his future playing time in doubt.

While other clubs got cold feet, the Warriors were willing to re-sign him, but it’s believed he’s on a reduced contract.

If he has a great season, the 31-year-old will be able to pick up one final big contract before retiring, but probably in Australia.

For the Warriors it’s likely that it will be time to move on from Luke after this season and with Smith it would have been the perfect transition as they could have had a player to build the club’s future around, along with the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitu’a, Isaiah Papali’i and Bunty Afoa. Nathaniel Roache has been primed as a hooker for the future at the Warriors, but injuries have stymied his career, playing just 20 games over the past three seasons.

It’s understood the club’s recruitment manager, Peter O’Sullivan, was ready to make a move if Smith got an early release.

If Smith sees out the remainder of his Storm contract, he’ll be 26 when he’s on the open market and coming from a family of Warriors supporters, it seems almost inevitable that he’ll one day end up at the Auckland-based club.

For now though the Warriors will be watching Smith from a distance, waiting for an opportunity to pick him up.

Smith is signed with the Storm until 2022 and, for now at least, won’t be asking for an early release.