‘We’re not going to focus on him too much’: Storm won’t lay the trap for Cheese to bite

Brandon Smith spent six seasons with the Storm but on Thursday will head to AAMI Park in a different jersey in one of the most anticipated battles of 2023.

Jahrome Hughes is back for the Storm this week and ready to take on one of his best mates. Picture; Jono Searle/Getty Images

The Cheese is coming back to town but Storm players aren’t ready to bait him as Brandon Smith prepares to take on his former side in a blockbuster Thursday night battle.

Smith has already played the Storm when they faced off in a trial game in Geelong in the pre-season, but premiership points are on the line this time around with the nuggety hooker sure to influence the result one way or the other.

Brandon Smith is ready for the real thing after facing some of his old teammates in the pre-season. Picture; Michael Klein

It was a slow start to his Roosters career as niggling injuries plagued him in the opening rounds, but Smith has settled into his new role and is ready to take on Harry Grant in an epic clash in the ruck.

Jahrome Hughes won a title with Smith in 2020 and played with him for the Kiwis at the World Cup, but the phone has gone quiet with no banter ahead of the game.

“He’s been a good mate of mine now for a long while so it’s going to be a good battle,” the Storm halfback said.

“It’s one of those ones where you’re coming up against a good mate, but once we get on the field, we know he’s going to be putting in some strong footy. Everyone tries to play well against their former team, so I know he’ll be doing the exact same.

“We’re not going to focus on him too much – he’s a good player so we need to watch what he does – but they’re a great team so we need to be watching the whole team.”

Jahrome Hughes is hungry to make up for lost time after missing two games due to suspension. Picture; Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Thursday’s match will see Hughes return to the side after copping a two-week suspension for a late hit on Tanah Boyd and then failing to have it downgraded at the judiciary.

The Storm were expected to struggle without him but they won back-to-back games against the Tigers and Rabbitohs having lost the previous two matches while halves partner Cameron Munster was out injured.

“It wasn’t ideal to have two weeks off and it was pretty tough watching the boys, but they were playing really good footy and they got two wins so I’ll need to pick my game up to hopefully keep the win streak alive,” Hughes said.

Losing a guy like Hughes on top of having stars Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona out injured would have usually spelled disaster for the Storm, but Munster’s return and the emergence of young half Jonah Pezet saved the day.

Hughes says he’s proud of Pezet’s development and that his impressive start to the NRL will put pressure on other players to get better to keep their spot in the team.

Jonah Pezet has slotted into the NRL with ease but his time in the starting side is over for now with Hughes to reclaim the No.7 jersey. Picture; Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“It’s good to watch,” Hughes said, with Pezet likely to shift to the bench this week.

“He’s a confident kid and he’s shown that by playing three outstanding games. He’s still only young so he’s still learning, and that shows how much potential he does have.

“It’s good for the club because we probably lost a couple of halves in the past couple years, so to have that competition in the halves means Jonah will be biting at mine and Munster’s ankles trying to get a go.

“It makes us play better and it makes the team play better.”