Billy Smith (rugby league, born 1999)

Billy Smith (born 7 November 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.

For the former St. George Dragons player, see Billy Smith (rugby league, born 1942).

Billy Smith
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Smith
Born (1999-11-07) 7 November 1999
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight99 kg (15 st 8 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019– Sydney Roosters 8 4 0 0 16
As of 20 March 2021
Source: [1]

Background

Smith was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Playing career

Prior to his league career, Smith attended highschool at The Scots College where he played for the school's 1st XV in the rugby union format.

2018

Smith played for the Wyong Roos during the 2018 Intrust Super Premiership NSW season. After Wyong exited the competition, Smith played for North Sydney in the first half of the 2019 Canterbury Cup NSW season scoring nine tries in six games before receiving a call up to the Sydney Roosters first grade side.[2]

2019

In round 23 of the 2019 NRL season, Smith made his NRL debut for the Roosters against the St. George Illawarra Dragons scoring a try in a 34-12 victory at Kogarah Oval.[3]

2020

During pre-season training for the 2020 NRL season, Smith suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury during a contact session. Sydney Roosters head coach Trent Robinson confirmed the injury saying “It’s Billy’s other knee and it’s an ACL, One of the doctors was telling me a stat where once you suffer one ACL injury you’re then a 25 per cent chance of doing the other knee inside two years if you’re under 21. We’re all feeling for Billy, there was a big opportunity there for him but the type of person he is he’ll fight back from this". Smith was widely tipped to start the year at left centre after the departure of Latrell Mitchell.[4] Smith reported to the NRL integrity unit regarding knowledge about the infamous Sam Burgess sexting scandal.[5]

2021

On 17 February 2021, Smith was ruled out for four months with a shoulder injury which he suffered at training.[6]

In round 17 of the 2021 NRL season, Smith made his long awaited return and scored a try during the Sydney Roosters 22-16 victory over Canterbury-Bankstown.[7] On 27 July, it was revealed that Smith would be ruled out for the rest of the 2021 NRL season after suffering a lisfranc foot injury.[8]

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. "Official Player profile". NSWRL.
  3. "Billy Smith scores on debut". WWOS.
  4. "Roosters receive worst possible news about Latrell's replacement. But Robbo is remaining positive". www.foxsports.com.au.
  5. "Furious Roosters want 'rattled' rookie's name cleared by the NRL".
  6. "Roosters lose Smith for four months". 7news.com.au.
  7. "Star's big halves switch Roosters must consider; Dog's audition for permanent role: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
  8. "Johnson's Sharks career on the brink as Panthers lose To'o in double blow: Casualty Ward". www.foxsports.com.au.
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