Brandon Smith tees off on Aaron Woods’ NRL Vegas promo
Brandon Smith might be getting another tap on the shoulder from NRL HQ after he ridiculed one aspect of the Las Vegas promo.
Outspoken Roosters hooker Brandon Smith has rubbished the NRL’s promotion for the upcoming Las Vegas double-header.
More specifically, the Kiwi has teed off on the decision to use Aaron Woods to help sell the clashes between Manly and the Rabbitohs and his Roosters against the Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on March 2.
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Woods, Spencer Leniu, Campbell Graham and Billy Walters were in Vegas this week to promote the round one fixtures.
It was far from a well-oiled machine, with the US Fox Sports hosts repeatedly calling the sport “rugby” across the segment at halftime of an NFL game between the Raiders and Vikings.
The awkward promo also featured Woods enthusiastically describing the “collisions” and trying to “get out here and bash each other” while three extremely soft highlights were shown from NRL games.
It was this element of the promo that Smith, who has found himself in hot water over podcast comments in the past, said on The Bye Round podcast with James Graham.
“Well first of all … they’ve sent over Aaron Woods, along with Spencer Leniu,” Smith begins when asked about the Vegas plans.
”And Aaron Woods, I think a highlight got played and he was talking about explosive football and all these big collisions.
“And they played a video of Aaron Woods and one of his highlights was the most far from explosive play.
“We’re trying to sell our product, get something like Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves’) highlights.
“Like respect to Woodsy, he’s been a great player for a long time, but explosive and highlight reel is not quite his (strength).”
Smith was in borderline hysterics throughout his hot take.
Co-host Graham agreed with him initially, suggesting the marketing could have focused on ex-Panther and new Rooster Leniu and Waerea-Hargreaves.
The pair had some high-profile bust-ups last season and now find themselves teammates.
“It’s funny whether you should market the game on the violence aspect and it going over the top,” Graham said.
“But show them Spencer and Jared and then say ‘these guys are going to be teammates next year’.”
Graham goes on to describe the criticism over calling the sport rugby “nitpicking” before Smith takes the opportunity to continue his thoughts on Woods, a decorated 32-year-old who is coming off his 13th NRL season.
“Good gig, jeez. How does Woodsy just … he’s a bit like you Woodsy, all the fingers in all the pies,” he said.
“And Woodsy would be eating a lot of those pies. Has he retired? He’s retired.”
“No, he’s still playing,” Graham replies.
“What? He’s on old man duties,” Smith fires back.
“Mate, why do you think he’s gone (to Las Vegas)? He’s the player representation of Manly,” Graham answers back.
“Good on him. He can talk, that’s probably why he got over there,” Smith said.
“That is probably why,” Graham agreed.
Smith isn’t the only one confused about Woods’ appearance in the Vegas promos.
An Origin and Kangaroos representative, Woods is expected to be a fringe squad player at the Sea Eagles in 2024.
“Of all the players at the NRL’s disposal … why veteran Aaron Woods?” asked an X account from Daily Telegraph columnist The Oracle.
“He has been front and centre. And then Billy Walters and Spencer Leniu who don’t say much.
“Was no one available?”
The Oracle and a number of others suggested Reece Walsh would have been a good choice to represent the code, although X user Dave had another theory.
Aaron Woods and Campbell Graham appeared on @NFLonFOX in Las Vegas ahead of our season opener in 2024! 🟠pic.twitter.com/i6dzN6UbDf
— NRL (@NRL) December 11, 2023
I thought it was a wasted opportunity. They should have had 4 big boppers that could talk in front of the media in the club kit on while showing their best hits or line breaks JWH, Burgess, Carrigan & Turbo
— Birdman (@budgie926) December 13, 2023
“Simply he doesn’t need to be at pre-season going hard like the other players,” he wrote. “Quite an obvious choice.”
Smith, who will be going to Vegas himself next year for the clash with the Broncos, might get a “please explain” from the NRL over his criticism — and it wouldn’t be the first time.
Back in November 2021, while still a member of the Melbourne Storm, Smith said the Victorian club had “so many piss-ups” and drinking was “a massive part of the culture” on the YKTR Sports podcast.
Smith was also raked over the coals for speaking glowingly of the Roosters while he was still contracted to the Storm.
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