Leeds Rhinos ace Cameron Smith reveals 'greatest achievement' as scene set for testimonial v Bradford Bulls
Testimonial star Cameron Smith has revealed his ‘greatest achievement’ - and explained why a Castleford lad came to be such a key figure at Leeds Rhinos.
Smith will return from a back injury when Rhinos play host to Bradford Bulls in his testimonial game tomorrow (Saturday). Having come through Leeds’ scholarship and academy system, he made his debut as a 17-year-old away to Huddersfield Giants on April 29, 2016. He now has 167 first team games to his name, scoring 24 tries and a single goal.
Reflecting on his 10 years in the senior squad, Smith told The Yorkshire Evening Post 2022 - when Rhinos went from a relegation battle to the Grand Final - was his most enjoyable season. And he confirmed: “Becoming captain of the club would be the greatest achievement I have had in my career. That would be the highlight for me.”
Smith was one of the hottest prospects in schoolboy rugby league and Leeds have his older brother Daniel to thank for snaring the ball-handling loose-forward. “He was at Rhinos and he is probably the reason why I wanted to pursue this career,” Smith said..
“My earlier memories would be coming to watch him play for the under-18s and 20s at Stanningley and I would ball boy. I knew from then I wanted to be a part of the Rhinos.”
Thinking back to his debut, a 28-20 defeat, one of Smith’s main memories is of a close encounter with a man who has since gone on to bigger things, Rhinos’ new chief executive Jamie Jones-Buchanan. “I remember [coach] Brian McDermott telling me I was going to be playing,” he said.
“We were training at Weetwood at the time as Kirkstall was flooded. I remember sitting next to JJB who got himself a bit worked up before games. I asked him if he had anything for me and he didn’t even say anything to me. That’s what I remember most about that game. I was extremely excited to get a debut so soon and 10 years have gone in a flash.”
Only Ash Handley, who this year replaced him as captain, has been at Leeds longer than Smith in the current side. His testimonial is a reward for 10 years’ loyal service, but also an opportunity to get back to business after a difficult 2025 campaign when he was restricted to only 12 appearances, eight of those as a substitute. Though he returned successfully from ankle damage suffered at Salford Red Devils in Betfred Super League round two, he hasn’t played since a home win against the same opponents on July 18.
In September he underwent surgery on the back injury which ended his season and, having been back in full training for more than a month, he’s good to go tomorrow. “It has been a while since I’ve played,” he stated. “The occasion is massive for me and my family. I am extremely grateful for all the support I’ve had so far and it has been a great week of training as well. The lads have been really upbeat and energetic and excited for it so I am looking forward to it.
“I am grateful even to be playing; I had a really disjointed 2025 and I am excited to get back playing rugby. I am fully fit, I have been in full training since we went on camp [to Tenerife before Christmas] so I’ve had a number of weeks now. Fergy [physio David Ferguson] has done an amazing job getting me back fit. I didn’t have much of an off-season so I wanted to give myself the best possible chance to have a good 2026. I am fully fit and ready for the game.”
Smith missed only seven matches across the three seasons before last year and reckons it won’t take long to get up to speed. He said: “It [2025] was very tough, but I am lucky we train to a fairly significant intensity so it is almost like I have played numerous games now, with how we go about on the training pitch. I am not anxious one bit, I am excited more than anything.”
Rhinos are due to play Bulls three times in Super League this year so Saturday is a chance to put down a marker. Bulls are also fitting opponents as Smith spent the 2017 season on loan there, along with current teammate Mikolaj Oledzki. “That was a real insight into playing against men,” he remembered. “I probably wasn’t ready at the time, being so young, but it was a great experience and one I am grateful for.
“Saturday is our only hit-out. We’ve had a great pre-season and I know everyone’s excited to play. I am grateful for the significance the staff and players have put behind this game. I’ve enjoyed the week, I am ready for the game and I am looking forward to it.”