Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers: Family affair for Smiths in Challenge Cup

Leeds Rhinos' Cameron Smith will come up against his brother Daniel today.
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe. — Leeds Rhinos' Cameron Smith will come up against his brother Daniel today. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

THERE’S NO doubt today’s Betfred Challenge Cup sixth round between Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers is huge for anyone connected with either club.

But for one particular family, it has even more importance as two brothers go head to head.

Rhinos loose-forward Cameron Smith is preparing to take on his older brother Daniel who plays in the front-row for Tigers – and that adds more intrigue to what the Leeds man insists is a “pretty significant game”.

Cameron Smith said: “There’s a few factors that stand out for me.

Castleford Tigers' Daniel Smith pushes off Huddersfield's Tui Lolohea. Picture: Bruce Rollinson.

“It is Jonesy’s [Jamie Jones-Buchanan] first game as coach, there’s the history between Leeds and Cas as rugby league teams and in the league at the minute neither of us are living up to our potential early on in this season.

“I think this probably decides both of our seasons, it is definitely a chance for both teams to get the ball rolling.

“Then obviously from a personal point of view, it is always special to play against my brother.”

The Smith siblings both began their career in Leeds’ academy, but Daniel, 29, moved on without making a first-team appearance.

He had spells with South Sydney under-20s, Wakefield Trinity, Huddersfield Giants and on loan at Featherstone Rovers before joining his hometown team in 2019.

The brothers have faced each other in the past, but Cameron said the novelty never wears off.

“It’s not just the rivalry on the field, it’s the effect it has on my family too,” the 23-year-old said.

“My mum’s immensely proud of us both and it’s tough for her to watch us go at it.

“She has grown up in Cas all her life so her heart is probably Castleford, but she still wants the best for me and all the Rhinos boys.”

Both Smiths are established in their respective first-choice 17s and are now becoming regular starters.

Cameron said: “I think this will be the first time we are both playing pretty significant minutes on the field.

“Before, we’ve probably both been on the bench or we’ve missed each other because we’ve played different parts of the game.

“I think this one might be a little bit different, but nothing changes for me and I’m sure it’ll be the same for Daniel.

“It’s just another game and a must-win for us.”

The two brothers “always reflect on our performances and chat about rugby quite a bit”, Cameron said, but there will be no ‘banter’ before or during the match.

He added: “Leading into the game we won’t talk about what we’re going to do or how each other will play.

“It’ll just be about wishing each other the best of luck.