NRL: Sydney Roosters defend Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith, others from claims of 'illicit substances' in online video

Sydney Roosters have gone on the frontfoot to defend NZ Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith and other players caught up in an online video scandal over the weekend.

The Roosters club is threatening legal action over "defamatory" claims the players were indulging in "illicit substances" on a live-streamed giveaway of prizes to fans on the eve of 'Magic Round' at Brisbane.

Smith, along with teammates Zach Dockar-Clay, Terrrell May, Naufahu Whyte and Spencier Leniu, was implicated in social media comments, but their club is not standing for the "damaging and unsubstantiated claims".

"The clip reveals no use of illicity substances or any other break of NRL rules, however some see fit to make that grossly distorted and clearly damaging claim," it said. "The Sydney Roosters uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity, both on and off the field.

"Our players adhere to all NRL policies, including its rigorous drug-testing and education programmes.

"As a club, we remind those on social media that we take the defamatroy statements some have made very seriously and we are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the souce(s) of several false accuations.

"Legal action will be pursued against those found responsible for spreading damaging and unsubstantiated claims."

Smith, 27, was involved in an alleged drugs scandal in 2021, when he and Melbourne Storm teammates were filmed partying with a white substance. All three players were handed a one-match ban and a $50,000 fine, although their club and the NRL never determined what the substance was.

"What really f***ing hit home was that my niece and my nephew were getting bullied at school because of something I did," he told the Keegan and Company podcast last month.

"You know, I f***ing did that, and hearing that from my brother and just seeing that shit, bro, that was definitely something that hurt my heart bad."

Sydney Roosters have gone on the frontfoot to defend NZ Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith and other players caught up in an online video scandal over the weekend.

The Roosters club is threatening legal action over "defamatory" claims the players were indulging in "illicit substances" on a live-streamed giveaway of prizes to fans on the eve of 'Magic Round' at Brisbane.

Smith, along with teammates Zach Dockar-Clay, Terrrell May, Naufahu Whyte and Spencier Leniu, was implicated in social media comments, but their club is not standing for the "damaging and unsubstantiated claims".

"The clip reveals no use of illicity substances or any other break of NRL rules, however some see fit to make that grossly distorted and clearly damaging claim," it said. "The Sydney Roosters uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity, both on and off the field.

"Our players adhere to all NRL policies, including its rigorous drug-testing and education programmes.

"As a club, we remind those on social media that we take the defamatroy statements some have made very seriously and we are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the souce(s) of several false accuations.

"Legal action will be pursued against those found responsible for spreading damaging and unsubstantiated claims."

Smith, 27, was involved in an alleged drugs scandal in 2021, when he and Melbourne Storm teammates were filmed partying with a white substance. All three players were handed a one-match ban and a $50,000 fine, although their club and the NRL never determined what the substance was.

"What really f***ing hit home was that my niece and my nephew were getting bullied at school because of something I did," he told the Keegan and Company podcast last month.

"You know, I f***ing did that, and hearing that from my brother and just seeing that shit, bro, that was definitely something that hurt my heart bad."

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