Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith has put his hand up to play for England against Australia this autumn, Shaun Wane has revealed. Smith has been one of the stars of Sydney’s season so far as Trent Robinson’s side push to secure a spot in the NRL play-offs.
Smith has made 14 appearances for the Roosters this year with eight tries coming along the way including five in his last six outings in the NRL. As such, he’s one of the most in-form centres in the sport at present and the 25-year-old’s displays come following a difficult few years with injuries.
The Sydney-born centre has been in and around the Rooters fold since 2019 but injuries have restricted him to just 41 NRL outings. He never saw a minute of first grade action last season due to injury and with Smith suffering three ACL tears, ankle joint damage, shoulder and Lisfranc issues, it’s fair to say his career has been blighted by issues.
He’s made significant progress this year, though, and he’s keen to end the season by pulling on an England shirt and representing his heritage.
Shaun Wane on NRL man Billy Smith
“Billy Smith contacted me, and I do like it when players contact me to express their desire to represent England,” Wane told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I’m very grateful for that and, like Victor Radley, it’s a sign that he wants to play for England. It goes a long way.
“I do rate him. I’m a big fan of the NRL and all of the quality athletes playing in it. Billy Smith is one of the best athletes, he’s a great centre and he would be a great asset.
“I like that he has contacted me, that means a lot and I will be pursuing it.”
On Smith’s form following the sheer amount of injuries he has suffered, Wane said: “That shows character, which is what I like. I’m also a big fan of Victor Radley. He’s as close to English as they come in terms of his mannerisms and the way he thinks, his personality.
“I’d imagine Billy Smith would be the same sort of character.”
Smith is just the latest Australian born player to put their hand up to play for England this year, following Gold Coast Titans’ AJ Brimson. Wane isn’t blessed with a raft of centre options either, making the potential of calling Smith up to represent England all the more appealing.
