Why Super League sides should be wary of new NRL signing as strengths and weaknesses analysed

Catalans Dragons have completed the signing Reimis Smith after he was released from NRL side Melbourne Storm.

It’s a deal that is another statement of intent from the Dragons, after already making deals for Luke Keary, Nick Cotric and Jarrod Wallace from NRL recently.

The 27-year-old is an outside-back, primarily a centre of late, and has over 100 games of NRL experience with the Storm and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Some may remember Smith scoring against England at the Nines World Cup in 2019, where he was prolific.

He has been granted a release from the Melbourne club and the move has been completed ahead of tomorrow’s deadline for mid-season deals in Super League.

What will Reimis Smith bring to Catalans Dragons?

He’s played slightly more games on the wing in his career, but he’s also very adept as a centre.

This brings some flexibility to the side, who are now without Tom Johnstone for at least a few months after his fibula injury sustained against Castleford Tigers.

Fouad Yaha made just his second appearance of the season last week on the wing, but there aren’t many other options.

Therefore, it seems he will primarily be an option on the wing, rather than in the centres, where he’s spent the entirety of 2024.

He’ll also likely bring plenty of tries to the side, with 50 NRL efforts to his name.

Which Super League sides could have done with him?

Castleford Tigers could rely on centre Sam Wood before injury on England duty, and Charbel Tasipale and Jack Broadbent have both departed the club, leaving them short.

Alex Mellor, usually a second-rower, has filled in at centre recently, with great effect, but the Tigers will no doubt want him back in his usual position.

In addition, Louis Senior’s long-term injury didn’t look to be a huge issue until the blow of Jason Qareqare’s own setback suddenly showed that the Tigers are pretty low on wing options too.

An outside-back would have been perfect for them.

Also, Leigh Leopards have none of their current centres contracted beyond the end of the current season.

It may have made sense for them to bring in a centre to make the start of next season a bit smoother – especially after the way they started the 2024 campaign.