Anthony Mundine looks at nephew Reimis Smith and says with a laugh ‘he is totally opposite from his uncle’

ANTHONY Mundine will be at Kogerah Oval on Sunday to cheer on St George Illawarra and, strangely, the Bulldogs too. Or one of them, at least — his nephew, Canterbury winger Reimis Smith.

ANTHONY Mundine sits just across from nephew Reimis Smith on the front porch of his mum Lyn’s house and says with a laugh — “he is totally opposite from his uncle”.

“He ain’t got no big mouth,” Mundine said. “When I used to talk about Daley and Fittler, that used to fire me up to bring the best out of myself.

“He is quiet, shy and humble. He is good mate and good nephew. A good gentleman.”

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Reimis Smith, with mum Kelly and Anthony and Tony Mundine. (Sam Ruttyn)

Mundine and Smith are surrounded by family at the gathering at Mundine’s family home on Friday afternoon. Tony is there, as is former first grade halfback Wes Patten and Mundine’s “spirit finger” John Mart Moran.

So too, Mundine’s son Anthony who will represent NSW at national basketball championships on Sunday and Mundine’s sister Kelly, who is Smith’s mum.

Smith has great pedigree. Not only is his mum a Mundine but his dad Tyran also had a 13-year NRL career.

Smith is making a name for himself at Belmore Oval. (Tim Hunter)

“I’ve always known he was an athlete,” Mundine said. “He loved his footy, very passionate. I tried to encourage him about hard work. You can have all the talent you want but if you have hard work you can go places and do big things.

“It’s starting to pay off for him now.”

The 21-year-old Smith has been a rare shining light for a Canterbury side who have struggled this year. He made his NRL debut in 2016 but played just his second game in round 15 this year, keeping his spot on the Bulldogs wing.

“His best position is centre but he is getting a taste on the wing,” Mundine said. “Once he gets moved to the centres at some point they will see the best of what he can do. He is fast and strong.

“It does (make me feel old) but I still feel like I’m 21. People think I’m his brother not his uncle.”

Smith is open to learning from his uncle. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

A large chunk of the family will be on hand to watch Smith take on Mundine’s former club St George Illawarra at Kogarah Oval on Sunday.

Smith, who will dedicate the game to close family friend Lance Thompson who died on Thursday night, said he had spent countless hours watching highlights of Mundine’s career.

“He was pretty freaky back in the day,” Smith said. “It’s always good to see what he did.

“If I had to put it on one piece of advice from (Mundine) — it’s to back yourself and believe in what you can do. It’s all mental, back your ability.

“It’s good that he is confident. I’m more to myself. If I have a confrontation I’ll take it on but I’m not going to be out there all the time. If I have to speak my mind, I will.

“I’ve been more and more confident (with each game). I’m loving it. I don’t want the season to end.”

Kelly has been surrounded by sport all her life. From their boxing champion dad Tony to watching Anthony’s exploits in the ring and on the footy field.

But she said watching her son was different.

“You get more emotional,” Kelly said. “It’s a different feeling. He is really quiet. If you didn’t know him you’d think he was a bit rude, that’s how quiet he is.”

While Anthony Mundine wants Smith to do well, his loyalty remains with the RedV.

“I’ll be going for the Dragons but I’ll be going for Reimis when he has the ball,” Mundine said.

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Originally published as Anthony Mundine looks at nephew Reimis Smith and says with a laugh ‘he is totally opposite from his uncle’