NRL Daily, latest news and updates, Cameron Smith, Six Broncos spots up for grabs in world club challenge, Michael Maguire, rugby league news

Cameron Smith has signed with the Broncos.

That’s a sentence you never thought you’d read, but the Storm and NRL legend has joined the Brisbane club’s coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season.

The Broncos shared photos of Smith at pre-season training on Sunday with the caption “Welcome Cam”.

Watch the 2026 NRL Pre-season series plus the All-Star matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

According to Code Sports, Michael Maguire approached Smith about joining his coaching staff in November, hoping to add experience to a squad gunning for back-to-back titles.

Smith reportedly addressed the Brisbane playing group during their two-week camp in Toowomba last week.

His role will reportedly be to work with the club’s leadership and guide young guns Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam as they continue to mature as NRL players, however he won’t be in attendance at the club’s training every day.

“Yes, Cam Smith is officially on board,” Maguire said.

“We are fortunate for Cam to agree to join us and he has already been around the playing group.

“He spent some time with us during our camp in Toowoomba and I could see the immediate impact he had on the players.

“It’s great to have him around to help our leadership group and our younger players and hookers.

“It’s incredible to have Cam Smith part of the Broncos … we are very fortunate to have someone of his stature around the place.”

Smith and Maguire have previously worked together when the now Broncos coach as an assistant to Craig Bellamy 20 years ago.

At the time, Smith was an emerging hooker who had knocked back interest from the Brisbane club to make a switch north.

Instead, he remained with the Storm and played 430 games, being the favourite to become the next rugby league Immortal.

WHO COULD FEATURE IN 2027 VEGAS VENTURE?

Even though we haven’t yet reached the third instalment of the Las Vegas bonanza, the NRL are looking ahead to who could feature in 2027.

There are five teams yet to represent the NRL, the Titans, Eels, Storm, Dolphins and Tigers.

As it stands, the Storm, Eels and Titans are favoured to travel to the USA to kick off the competition next season according to Code Sports.

The Tigers haven’t shown much interest with ex-CEO Shane Richardson declaring to the AFR last year: “Las Vegas was a f***ing disaster and it was a party trip for everybody.”

Richardson is no longer at the club and it appears the Tigers have changed their stance on a potential Vegas trip.

“I probably don’t have the same position as Richo had,” Tigers interim CEO Shaun Mielekamp told Code Sports.

“It might be the right time. We’re a bit more settled.

“Our roster is settled. It was really about the on-field that we were concerned about and the finances weren’t there, but they are now.

“The NRL have approached us and have also spoken to us about expressions of interest from clubs to go a second time… If the NRL feels like it’s the right fit and does suit us, we don’t want our fans to miss out.”

The Roosters are reportedly one of those teams keen to head back to the US to open the season in a shock revelation.

It was expected that teams wouldn’t be able to take part for the second time until 2028, but that could change next year.

The Chooks went over in the inaugural season (2024), defeating the Broncos 20-10.

MADGE REVEALS NEW PAIR IN WCC SELECTION HUNT

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has yet to settle on his 20-man squad for this month’s World Club Challenge but has revealed his ploy to avoid complacency among the playing group.

Maguire says there are several spots up in the air that have to be confirmed before the club fly out to England on the 9th of February. The game against Hull KR will take place on the morning of February 20 (AEDT).

The Broncos coach says he hasn’t told those players on the bubble whether they’ll be apart of the touring squad, believing that’ll create a more willing competition for spots over the next few days.

“I want everyone to train the house down and then I will make a final call next week after training sessions,” Maguire told Code Sports.

It has been reported that six spots are still undecided.

Star back rower Brendan Piakura won’t play with former Dolphin Aublix Tawha the favourite to take Piakura’s place.

Kobe Hetherington (Manly) and Tyson Smoothy (Super League) are the other two players missing from Brisbane’s grand final winning 17, but Maguire signalled a couple of new recruits who could force their way onto the place to England.

“’Obs’ (Tawha) is definitely someone to consider,” Maguire said.

“We’ve lost Kobe and ‘Smooth’, so there’s a few spots I’m looking at. Obs has come in and he has been excellent. Grant Anderson and Tom Duffy have been very good, too.

“Jack (Gosiewski) is back training with ‘Brendy’ (Piakura) being out so I am looking at my options and then I will go from there.”

In addition to Piakura, Hetherington and Smoothy, the other changes to the Broncos’ 2025 grand final side is Ezra Mam starting at five-eighth with Ben Hunt moving to hooker, which pushes Cory Paix to the bench.