The South Sydney Rabbitohs have stated they will not be standing down star Brandon Smith after he was charged by Queensland police on Monday.

The star hooker was charged one count of supply dangerous drugs and one count of using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.

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The charges come after Smith was interviewed by Queensland police after arriving on the Gold Coast ahead of the club’s round 23 clash.

Smith was initially released without charge, however that all changed on Monday.

It remains unclear what information Smith’s betting charges relate to with police releasing a statement on Monday afternoon.

“A 29-year-old man has been issued with a Summons by Queensland Police on August 20 for supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting,” a spokesman said.

“The man is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on 18 September.

“Investigations by detectives from the Organised Crime Gangs Group, Taskforce Maxima, South Eastern Region are continuing.”

The charges do not meet the NRL’s automatic no-fault stand-down policy with Code Sports noting comments from the Rabbitohs that there was “no way” they would choose to stand Smith down themselves from their looming clash with the Roosters.

The NRL can still make its own decision to rule him out.

“We do know that Brandon has told Souths he will plead not guilty to this,” veteran journalist Phil Rothfield said on NRL 360.

Brent Read added: “I exchanged texts with Blake Solly and my understanding is they will not stand him down.

“As it stands right now he will play in round 27 against the Roosters and as you said Buzz he is going to fight these charges.”

The Rabbitohs released a statement on Monday afternoon, shortly after Smith’s charges were announced.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs are aware of allegations made by Queensland Police against player Brandon Smith,” the club statement read.

“The club has informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the allegations.

“As this matter is part of a Queensland Police investigation, the Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this stage.”

Smith was stopped and questioned by Queensland police in August with police commissioner Shane Chelepy explaining the motives behind the move.

“It’s out in the media now that we have spoken to Brandon,” Chelepy said during the radio interview.

“We spoke to Brandon at Coolangatta, when he arrived.

“We chatted to him about a number of things and then he was able to go on and play football.

“We have an ongoing police matter that we are dealing with.

“Brandon was very co-operative with us and he was able to go on and play a good game of football from what I saw.”

The former Melbourne Storm premiership-winner was reportedly heading to the baggage claim area at the airport when he was stopped by police.

Code Sports reports he was questioned before he was sent on his way to join teammates at the Sofitel Hotel at Broadbeach before their game against the Titans on Sunday.

The Rabbitohs made the NRL Integrity Unit aware of the incident on Saturday.

“The NRL has no information relating to a potential breach of the NRL Rules by the player,” an NRL spokesman told Code Sports.

Smith played the game against the Titans on the Sunday and made an impact for the team starting from the bench in the Bunnies’ 20-18 win.

Originally published as South Sydney Rabbitohs not standing down star after charges