- Smith says he and Whitehead smoothed things over
- Whitehead’s hip-drop tackle ended Smith’s NRL season
- The cock-hooker said the tackle was an accident
Brandon Smith is devastated and says there is no bad blood between him and Elliott Whitehead after the tackle that tore his ACL and ended the Sydney Roosters star’s season.
Smith is scheduled to undergo surgery on his knee after the season. The hooker will have to wait for his medial ligament to heal before he can have his ACL repaired.
The delay means he hopes to return in round 10 next year, when he will be sidelined alongside halfback Sam Walker for the start of the 2024 NRL season after the halfback also tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Sunday.
Injuries to Canberra leave the third-placed Roosters facing a tough battle in the finals. Victor Radley has a broken shoulder blade but is hoping to return.
Whitehead also immediately made headlines following a post-match altercation with Trent Robinson after the Raiders captain approached the Roosters to apologise.
The Roosters coach accused the Englishman of being a serial ‘hip-dropper’. The tackle on Smith was the fourth time he has been charged for the offence since late 2020.
Smith said he appreciated Robinson’s support, but confirmed that Whitehead had contacted him to clear the air.
Brandon Smith (pictured) says there is no bad blood between him and Elliott Whitehead after the hip throw tackle that tore his ACL
Smith confirmed that Whitehead had contacted him to clear the air after the match
“He texted me and it was a bit of a joke,” Smith said on The Bye Round podcast.
“It was a small thing. It’s rugby league and I know he didn’t mean it. Nobody goes out there and does it and means it. It was an accident.
“I understand both sides of (Whitehead and Robinson)’s positions.
“That’s what I would want from my coach. I want him to stand up for me.”
Whitehead has since accepted a three-match ban for the tackle, ending his NRL career prematurely ahead of his return to Super League next season.
Whitehead also ridiculed the entire incident in a cheeky social media post.
Smith said he had been told he would likely be fit to play again in May, but there are concerns that could happen later in the year due to the delayed surgery.
“It was pretty devastating,” Smith said.
“I had my moment about 30 minutes in when I got the call, because I didn’t think I did my ACL. I thought I did my (medial).”
Smith is scheduled to undergo knee surgery after the season and will miss the start of 2024.
The Roosters are expected to opt to rest players against South Sydney on Friday night, but Connor Watson will play at hooker and Sandon Smith in the half.
Sitili Tupouniua is likely to fill Radley’s back row void for the start of the final, before the 26-year-old hopes to make a quick recovery from his shoulder blade injury.
“If you look at our team on paper, it’s still a damn good team,” Smith said.
There is enough talent to get the job done.
‘Connor Watson is a hooker from New South Wales… Luke Keary will probably have to play a more prominent role (in the halves) and talk more than ever before.
“I still have confidence in it.”