Sport Confidential: Brandon Smith trains with Rabbitohs for first time, South Sydney heap up pressure to move back to Allianz Stadium

Brandon Smith made his first Rabbitohs training appearance and wasted no time getting friendly with Latrell Mitchell. It comes as South Sydney heap up pressure on the NSW government over plans to move back to Allianz Stadium.

Brandon Smith has made his first appearance at South Sydney training and wasted no time cuddling up to Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell.

Smith, having passed a medical at the weekend and officially signed with the Rabbitohs on Wednesday, took part in his first training session with his new teammates on Thursday morning.

Among them were Mitchell. The pair exchanged barbs a few years back but they now look like the best of friends after Mitchell posted an image of he and Smith sharing a hug on his social media.

“Finally brah,” Mitchell could be heard saying.

Brandon Smith on his first day at training since leaving the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Rohan Kelly

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South Sydney have heaped more pressure on the NSW government over plans to move back to Allianz Stadium as they explore a future home for the regular season match they currently play in Perth.

The Rabbitohs have played 12 home games in Perth over the years but 2026 will be the last time they take a game to the West Australian capital.

In an ideal world they would bring the game back to Sydney but chief executive Blake Solly told Sports Confidential that would only happen if they were given the green light to move back to Allianz Stadium on a permanent basis.

It's a Funny Game. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey

“We’ve played 12 home games in Perth over the years and our 2026 fixture will be our last,” Solly said.

“We congratulate the WA Government on the entry of the Bears into the NRL in 2027. The WA Government have been wonderful partners of our club for a long time.

“Ideally we would bring the game we take to Perth back to Sydney and the Venues NSW network.

Rabbitohs fans at Allianz Stadium. Picture: NRL Photos

“But that only stacks up if we are allowed to move our home ground to Allianz. If we can’t move to Allianz, sadly it’s not commercially viable to move the game back to Sydney.

“Fortunately we’ve had great interest from parties in NZ and Queensland who are keen for more NRL matches.

“Hopefully the government and Venues NSW can approve the move to Allianz ASAP and secure more matches for their network.”

Souths have met government powerbrokers in a bid to secure a return to Allianz amid concern over the lack of spending at Accor Stadium.

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Newcastle and the Melbourne Storm are locked in a battle to sign one of the best young forwards in the game.

Gold Coast Titans prop Josiah Pahulu, who made 19 appearances for the Titans last season and has appeared in two games this year, has already visited with the Knights and toured their facilities.

He is expected to do the same with the Storm as he looks to secure a long-term deal away from the Gold Coast next year.

Josiah Pahulu.

Pahulu was a fixture in the Titans side last year but fell out with key officials after they rested him for the last game of the season, costing him the opportunity to earn a bonus payment for making 20 appearances.

The Titans have been unable to convince him to stay and Pahulu looks set to make a decision between the Knights and the Storm. The Storm, in particular, may be on the lookout for middles given they are yet to reach a deal with Tui Kamikamica for next season.

Kamikamica has an option in his deal for 2026 and it is understood rival clubs are keeping an eye on his situation as they weigh up making a move for the Fijian international should he fail to agree fresh terms with the Storm.

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Tim Tszyu’s rematch with Sebastian Fundora for the WBC World title will be confirmed in a fortnight after a late change of plans.

Tszyu was due to depart Australia this weekend for a whirlwind 48 hour trip to make it official as well as shoot a promo before returning home to continue his preparation.

Tim Tszyu. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

However, his departure was pushed back by a week. The good news is that the rematch of the bloodbath from Las Vegas last year – when Tszyu suffered his first career defeat – will go ahead as planned.

It will be made official that it will be the co-main event to Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring in Las Vegas. Pacquiao will be 46 years old but still has millions of followers.

The Tszyu camp will also be scouting the tallest American sparring partners to fly to Australia in preparation for Fundora – the American is just short of 200cm – or an incredible 6’6 in the old numbers.

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The stars were out in force this week for the Sam Goodman-Harry Garside double header at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney.

South Sydney stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were ringside for the fights along with former Cronulla captain Paul Gallen, runner Nedd Brockman, as well as boxing royalty Tim Tszyu, Nikita Tszyu and Liam Paro.

UFC fighter Bam Bam Tuivasa was also on hand along with Sydney FC marquee man Douglas Costa, Olympic diver Sam Fricker and fellow Olympian Callum Peters.

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Newcastle back rower Tyson Frizell has appeared on the radar of rival clubs as his future remains up in the air.

Frizell has a mutual option in his contract with the Knights for next season that doesn’t need to be exercised until the back end of June.

Tyson Frizell has appeared on the radar of rival clubs. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

It means the former NSW and Australian forward is technically a free agent at the end of the season.

Sports Confidential understands that some clubs have been made aware that Frizell’s future is yet to be determined to gauge their interest in making a move for the 33-year-old.

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Wests Tigers stars Jarome Luia, Api Koroisau, Kezie Apps and coach Benji Marshall are set to take centre stage in a commercial for major sponsor Pepper Money that will be shown across Foxtel and Kayo this weekend.

The ad, featuring the club’s biggest names, comes amid a dramatic increase in jersey sales and membership revenue this season at the Tigers.

Pepper Money took over as major sponsor this season in a coup for the club and the ad is another sign of how far the Tigers have come over the past 12 months as they marry success off the field with improved results on it.

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said the alignment between club and Pepper Money is more than skin-deep and was the primary reason why the club wanted to get involved in the campaign.

“When we talk about partnerships, this is what we mean,” Richardson said.

“Our players wanted to be involved because we believe in what Pepper Money stands for, helping people and backing them.

“Far from a standard sponsorship moment, this collaboration taps into a shared belief that being helpful in life, means stepping up for others when it matters most.

“That’s what our club is about too, whether that is helping your teammates or the members of our proud community.”

Pepper Money boss Mario Rehayem added: “At Pepper Money, we’re driven by our mission to help people succeed,” Rehayem said.

“To do that well, every aspect of our business – from our people through to the loan options we provide to our customers must deliver on our commitment to being really helpful.”

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North Queensland sensation Jaxon Purdue has an offer on the table from the Cowboys but it is understood he is in no rush to take it up as he prepares for his move to the halves.

Jaxon Purdue is in no rush to make a call on his future. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Purdue has stamped himself as one of the game’s rising stars this season, having started the year in the centres and handled himself with aplomb.

Sports Confidential understands that the Cowboys have tabled a deal for Purdue, who is off contract at the end of next season and free to speak to rival cubs from November 1.

However, his management are in no rush to agree to a new deal as they attempt to get a better gauge of Purdue’s value.

It has skyrocketed this season and his move to five-eighth – where he played most of his junior rugby league – promises to be a game-changer for Purdue.

While the Cowboys are desperate to keep him and Purdue’s preference is to stay at North Queensland, rival clubs are watching closely in the hope that he makes it to November 1.

Originally published as Sport Confidential: Brandon Smith trains with Rabbitohs for first time, South Sydney heap up pressure to move back to Allianz Stadium