Broncos hooker finds new club for 2026

His move has been made official.

Brisbane Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy has confirmed he will leave Red Hill at the end of 2025 to take up a contract in the English Super League.

Smoothy became the bench dummy half under the coaching of Kevin Walters in 2024, having previously plied his trade throughout the Queensland Cup and at NRL level with the Melbourne Storm.

It’s understood he will fall down the pecking order at the Broncos in 2025 though under the coaching of Michael Maguire, with Cory Paix and Blake Mozer – who will miss the start of the season with injury – both coming well into calculations.

That has all led to Smoothy accepting a three-year deal overseas with Wakefield Trinity, where he will be based from the start of the 2026 season through to the end of 2028.

Smoothy, who has been with the Broncos since 2023, has played 31 games for the club and still could feature in the top grade for Maguire’s side throughout the course of the coming season.

“Managing to get Tyson’s signature is a huge coup for Wakefield Trinity,” Wakefield’s recruitment manager Ste Mills said in a club statement confirming the rake’s acquisition.

Heard great things': Tyson Smoothy's first words after signing Wakefield Trinity deal

“Tyson’s big game experience & leadership will be a huge addition to our already strong squad & be a valuable asset.

“We feel bringing in someone of Tyson’s calibre will help us take the club to another level.”

Smoothy said he was excited for the move.

“My young family and I are really excited to begin a new chapter with Wakefield Trinity next season – we’ve heard great things about the club, and the fans in the English Super League,” Smoothy said.

“I have loved my time with the Broncos here in Australia, and we still have a big year ahead, but we’re looking forward to heading over at the end of the year.

“In the meantime, we’ll be watching closely from afar.”

The 25-year-old, who was born in Toowoomba, has played 35 NRL games and is a former Queensland under-16 player when the side beat New South Wales in 2015, with the likes of Thomas Flegler and Braydon Trindall also featuring in that side against a Blues outfit featuring Luke Metcalf, Campbell Graham, Sebastian Kris, Matt Croker, Payne Haas, Jaeman Salmon, Josh Curran, Zac Lomax and Brandon Wakeham.

Broncos rocked after Kotoni Staggs update amid Reece Walsh and Payne Haas concerns before round one

Brisbane Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy completes Super League move for 2026 – Total Rugby League

Michael Maguire would have been hoping his stars got through the game unscathed.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has been delivered a tough setback after Kotoni Staggs was ruled to be out for up to six weeks with a quad injury as both Payne Haas and Reece Walsh recovered from their minor injuries. The Broncos have proved to be the most impressive team in pre-season having won both their trial games with a close to full-strength Brisbane side dismantling a strong Bulldogs line-up.

Maguire would have been hoping the team got through unscathed as he watched a number of players, including Staggs, Walsh and Haas all end up on the sidelines. And in a huge setback, Staggs will miss between four to six weeks after his squad injury appeared more serious than first thought.