Roosters captain James Tedesco urges Trent Robinson to play Brandon Smith at lock

Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco has implored the Roosters to hold onto hooker Brandon Smith and unleash him at his best position when he returns from injury.

Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco has urged Trent Robinson to hold onto hooker Brandon Smith to unleash him in his best position, at lock, when he returns from injury later this season.

It comes as the game’s greatest hooker, and former Storm teammate, Cameron Smith, suggested Brandon’s time at the Roosters had been underwhelming because he was signed to play in the wrong position.

Smith is unsigned, and unwanted at the Bondi Junction club, beyond 2025 and the Roosters are open to granting the 28-year-old a release to join the Rabbitohs before the June 30 deadline.

Tedesco doesn’t want Smith, who is expected to return from an ACL injury in late May, to exit the club prematurely and believes the side needs the forward to help launch a mid-season charge.

“He can turn a game … hopefully he doesn’t go to the Bunnies this year,” Tedesco said on 100 Per Cent Footy.

“That’s the sort of energy I was talking about with him coming back later in the year, that’s the sort of energy we need … he can create ruck speed, he can create that from running or short passes.”

Smith spent time as an understudy to Storm skipper Cameron Smith during his time at Melbourne, leaving the former captain convinced that Smith is not a starting hooker.

“I’ve said all along I don’t think he is a starting hooker. I really don’t,” Cameron Smith said.

“I think his best position is either 13 or coming off the bench as an impact ruck player.

“When he came on the field and we just needed something like an energy-changing run, or a tackle, just needed an energy lift, he was perfect.

“It’s the most damaging role he could play.”

Brandon Smith and James Tedesco. Picture: NRL Photos

Tedesco agreed with the assessment and said Smith still had value to add to the Roosters, especially if he plays in the role he excels in most – as an impact bench player.

Despite an imminent move to the Rabbitohs on the cards for Smith, Tedesco revealed the Kiwi international is back in training and has been a vocal contributor to video sessions in the last few weeks.

“He was actually really good (on Monday), he was in there doing a lot of our team stuff, cutting us up a bit,” Tedesco said.

“He’s a really laid back sort of guy, he enjoys a laugh … but he’s actually very smart, footy smart.

“He’s come in the last few meetings and just gave us some pretty vital info on how he thinks teams are playing.

“He soaks up a lot of information. I know he doesn’t portray that, he comes off as a bit of a larrikin, but he’s actually quite smart.”

Originally published as Roosters captain James Tedesco urges Trent Robinson to play Brandon Smith at lock