NRL table-toppers Canberra Raiders have, over the last decade, been known for their influx of English players, and that is set to continue for a few more years at least.
The club currently have the former Wigan duo of Matty Nicholson and Morgan Smithies playing key roles in the side’s success this year.
Nicholson’s year was largely disrupted due to injury, but hugely impressed in his first year at the club, whilst Smithies is entering the third and final year of his contract.
That means that the latter is free to speak to rival clubs about his future beyond 2026, but according to reports in Canberra, the former Super League enforcer looks set to extend his stay at the Green Machine, for the next few years at least.
‘The Canberra Times’ have stated that the 25-year-old has an offer on the table from the club until the end of 2029, and he is currently in the process of weighing up a three-year extension.
The Siddal academy product has made 49 appearances in the NRL, and was a huge part of the Raiders’ forward pack this season, as he switched between the 13 role and an impact substitute.
Canberra’s CEO, Don Furner, revealed he wanted to get an extension done earlier, however negotiations took a halt with Smithies featuring for England in the Ashes series.
Speaking to the news outlet, he said: “Morgan has just gotten back from overseas, so we’re working through that one at the moment.
“…Hopefully that can get done. Obviously we don’t want it to drag on much longer.”
With a contract on the table and a World Cup place up for grabs at the end of the year, 2026 looks to be one of the biggest campaigns in the Halifax-born talent’s career, as he looks to impress for both club and country.
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