Former Broncos player Tyson Smoothy is reportedly keen to leave English club Wakefield Trinity at the end of the season and return to Australia two years early. Smoothy played 42 NRL games for Brisbane from 2023 to 2025, and played an instrumental role in helping the Broncos win the premiership last season.
The hooker and back-rower stepped up to fill the void when the Broncos lost a number of key players on their march to the grand final. He produced some clutch plays throughout the finals series and proved a pivotal cog in Michael Maguire’s championship team.
Tyson Smoothy (second from left) helped the Broncos win the NRL premiership last year. Image: Getty
He left the Broncos at the end of last year and signed with Wakefield Trinity in the Super League on a three-year deal. But reports emerged this week that he’s eyeing a return to Australia due to family reasons.
British publication Love Rugby League is reporting that Smoothy’s family are keen to return to Australia, and he’s approached the club about getting an early release. Wakefield have reportedly said they won’t be releasing him mid-year, but they could be open to granting his request once the season concludes.
Tyson Smoothy in action for Wakefield Trinity against Castleford Tigers.
(PA Images via Getty Images)
The report states: “They are bracing themselves for the departure of the hooker and have now started to make contingency plans for life without him in 2027 – though it has been stressed no deal for him to exit has been granted yet.”
Smoothy doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, meaning Wakefield would have to make a tricky call based on compassionate grounds. Smoothy has been one of their best players in 11 games so far this season.
Tyson Smoothy keen to return to NRL
The 26-year-old is reportedly assessing his options in the NRL should he be granted a release. It’s unclear whether the Broncos would have an appetite to bring him back considering they’ve re-signed starting hooker Cory Paix and have young guns Blake Mozer and Cameron Bukowski coming through.
Speaking about his departure from the Broncos last year, Paix said he was looking forward to a new challenge. “It was just opportunity, really,” he said.
“There’s always going to be challenges and other people who are fighting for positions, so it wasn’t feeling like I’ve been pushed out. I’ve never even been over there, but I’ve heard so many good things about England and the footy and how much they love it, so I will get to experience something different.”