Kaleb Smith. In late 2024 Kaleb Smith was named in the 2025 Burleigh Bears U19 MM Cup squad.
In early January 2024 Kaleb Smith started at hooker for a Titans U17 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.
In early March 2024 Kaleb Smith was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Kaleb Smith starting at hooker on Day One against Met North.
Kaleb Smith recorded a try assist in the 18th minute when with the play the ball four metres from the try line to just to the left of the goal posts Kaleb Smith looked left but played right with a held up pass to allow the lead runner to go through to his right to Cooper Bai who crashed over to score under the posts.
In the 57th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right from ten metres inside his own territory to get the ball five metres into Met North territory.
Kaleb Smith did well in the 59th minute with South Coast leading by two points, when along with Nelson Makaafi and Cooper Bai, Kaleb Smith hit the Met North hooker on the try line and force a knock on after a run out of dummy half.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker on Day Two against Met East with Kaleb Smith running to his right out of dummy half in the 7th minute to get the ball from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 9th minute to get the ball from forty eight metres to thirty seven metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker on Day Three against Northern with Kaleb Smith running to his left out of dummy half to the 48th minute to make a smart run from thirty three metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark after straight through the centre of the field.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker on Day Four against Met North with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his left from thirty five metres to twenty five metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also recorded a try assist in the 18th minute when with the play the ball eight metres from the try line and just to the left of the goal posts Kaleb Smith looked to his left but played to his right by holding up his pass to let a lead runner go through before hitting Cooper Bai with a pass to his right with Cooper Bai scoring under the posts.
Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith start at hooker for PBC SHS against Ipswich SHS with Kaleb Smith along with Hai Hiawe King making the opening two tackles of the match from the PBC SHS kick-off.
The 25th minute saw Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right from twelve metres out with Kaleb Smith getting within a metre of the try line with Kaleb Smith catching the Ipswich SHS defence offside with PBC SHS awarded a penalty as a result. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 53rd minute to carry the ball from eighteen metres to thirty metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS as well as Round Three against Mabel Park SHS.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker in Round Four against Caloundra SHS and in the 5th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right and ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty seven metres to within eight metres of the try line and then Kaleb Smith was awarded a penalty after being held down.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in Round Five against Marsden SHS with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 13th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left down a left blindside from ten metres out Kaleb Smith ran to within five metres of the try line before throwing a short pass to his left to lead Sam Stephenson onto the ball and to crash over to score three metres in from the left corner post.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker in Round Six against Wavell SHS.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 46th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and to the left of the goal posts Kaleb Smith ran to his left and brought his left second rower back underneath to crash over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Kaleb Smith made his initial run out of dummy half in the match in the 5th minute to his left to get from twenty eight to thirty eight metres from the try line. Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right in the 14th minute from six metres inside his half to nine metres into Keebra Park SHS territory.
Kaleb Smith did exceptionally week defensively to chase down the Keebra Park SHS five eight who had made a line break from deep inside his own half with Kaleb Smith bringing him down from behind in the halfway mark. Kaleb Smith also did well defensively in the 54th minute when he was involved in holding up one of the Keebra Park SHS starting front rowers No. 10 nine metres to the right of the goal posts.
PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Kaleb Smith start at hooker against Stretton State College with Kaleb Smith then operating at five eight late in the second half.
Kaleb Smith made a line break in the 46th minute with an effort out of dummy half to his right from twenty three metres from his try line with Kaleb Smith bursting through the heart of the Stretton State College defensive line to the halfway mark with Kaleb Smith then off-loading to his right to Jac Finnigan.
Kaleb Smith made his initial foray out of dummy half in just the 3rd minute to his left from ten metres inside his half to five metres into Stretton State College territory. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 19th minute and as a result got the ball from twenty three to within ten metres of the try line and ten metres in from the left touchline.
Kaleb Smith started at hooker for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his left through the centre of the field from forty to thirty metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith did well defensively in the 7th minute when along with Ray Puru and Isaac Harrison he was able to hold up the Keebra Park SHS hooker Austin Marsters over the try line ten metres to the right of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith started at hooker for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS and Kelab Smith also spent ten minutes early in the match at five eight and in the 4th minute Kaleb Smith produced a huge tackle on the Marsden SHS left second rower No. 11 that saw Kaleb Smith dump him on his back after driving him backwards twenty metres from the PBC SHS try line.
At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Kaleb Smith was named as a player that the Courier Mail is looking to see more of in the Langer Cup in 2025.
The 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League Phil Hall Cup Grand Final to determine Queensland’s best 2024 School Boy Rugby League School Boy side saw Kaleb Smith start at hooker for PBC SHS against Kirwan SHS.
The 15th minute saw Kaleb Smith run out of dummy half down a short left blindside form thirty to forty two metres from the try line. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 42nd minute to move the ball from the halfway to twelve metres into Kirwan SHS territory.
Kaleb Smith started at hooker for PBC SHS in the 2024 National School Boy Rugby League Final against Patrician Brothers Blacktown with Kaleb Smith coming close to scoring in the 12th minute only to be held up over the try line ten metres to the right of the goal posts after running to his left out of dummy half from nine metres out.
Kaleb Smith executed a critical tackle in the 50th minute when in the 50th minute and PBC SHS needing a turnover Kaleb Smith drove his left shoulder in the midrift of the Patrician Brothers lock and force a knock on in the centre of the field and thirty five metres out with PBC SHS scoring a minute later to get back into the match.
In late September 2023 Kaleb Smith was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Kaleb Smith also being U18 eligible in 2025.
Round One of the 2024 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Kaleb Smith making a strong driving front on tackle in the opening set of six tackles after Northern Rivers had kicked off on the Knights fullback in the centre of the field and twenty eight metres from the try line.
The 10th minute saw Kaleb Smith run out of dummy half to his left to carry the ball from the thirty five metre mark to the halfway mark. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 15th minute from four metres inside his own territory and got the ball seven metres into Newcastle territory.
Kaleb Smith then ran out of dummy half to his right in the 49th minute and broke two tackles as Kaleb Smith ran the ball to within twenty six metres of the try line after picking the ball up from dummy half forty metres out. Kaleb Smith also ran to his right out of dummy half in the 52nd minute to run from thirty six metres from his own try line to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Kaleb Smith coming close to scoring in the 45th minute only to be ruled to have been held up under the posts after running to his left out of dummy half form six metres out.
The 54th minute saw Kaleb Smith throw the final pass to his left for Kai Saric’s try and Kaleb Smith had run to his left out of dummy half in the 13th minute from get the ball from forty three metres from his own try line to the twenty eight metre mark.
Kaleb Smith made a strong tackle in the 23rd minute with a right shoulder driving tackle on the Central Coast No. 2 with Kaleb Smith hitting him sixteen metres out and driving him back to ten metres from the try line. Kelab Smith hit the Central Coast No. 2 once again in the 46th minute with a great tackle thirty metres from the try line with Kaleb Smith then backing up to also make the next tackle after moving to his right from the marker position.
Kaleb Smith then started from the bench in Round Four against the Northern Tigers and after coming onto the field late in the first half Kaleb Smith recorded a line break assist in the 42nd minute when after packing into a scrum at lock thirty four metres from the try line, Kaleb Smith picked the ball up from the back of the scrum and ran to his right down a short blindside and after drawing the Tigers left winger Kaleb Smith passed to his right to Harry Chadburn who made a line break down the right touchline to within five metres of the try line.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and after coming onto the field late in the first half to operate in the dummy half role Kaleb Smith scored in the 38th minute as a result of a run out of dummy half to his left with Kaleb Smith darting over to score from four metres out to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith continued off the bench in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to play five eight late in the first half with Kaleb Smith making a good run to the left of a Northern Rivers scrum win in the 47th minute when after continuing to run to his left after receiving the ball Kaleb Smith did well to get the ball from eighteen metres from the try line to within three metres mid-way between the try line and corner post on the left side of the field.
In the 59th minute after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Kaleb Smith accelerated quickly and as a result was able to get to within two metres of the try line ten metres in from the left corner post. Then in the 63rd minute after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half Kaleb Smith dummied to his inside and outside before running himself from thirty five metres from the try line to within nineteen metres.
Kaleb Smith also forced a St George goal line drop-out in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball down a short left blindside ten metres out, Kaleb Smith put in a short left chip kick into the in-goal with the ball touched by St George to require the goal line drop-out restart.
Kaleb Smith made his NRRRL First Grade debut when he came off the bench in Round Three of the 2024 season against the Evans Head Bombers and also came off the bench in Round Four against the Bilambil Jets.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at five eight on the right side of the field in the 15th minute of Round Eight against the Mullumbimby Giants with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 33rd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and twenty six metres from the try line Kaleb Smith dug deep into the defensive line before holding up and then throwing a well weighted pass to his right to put his right second rower into space and subsequently over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
Kaleb Smith did well to create space for his outside backs in the 66th minute Kaleb Smith ran the ball down a short right blindside from twenty four metres to thirty four metres from his try line with Kaleb Smith throwing a good short pass to his right to put his right winger into a big gap but unfortunately the ball went to ground.
Kaleb Smith showed his toughness defensively in the 42nd minute with a driving left shoulder tackle when he anticipated a flat Mullumbimby pass to crunch the Giants lock ten metres from the try line and then from second marker Kaleb Smith flipped the dummy half onto his back to prevent him from forcing his way over from dummy half with Kaleb Smith stopping him just short of the try line ten metres to the left of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith also came off the bench in Round Nine against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kaleb Smith operating at dummy half after coming onto the field in the 30th minute with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his right in the 51st to run the ball from thirty seven to twenty six metres from the try line after stepping off his right foot to target the area behind the markers with Kaleb Smith then awarded a penalty for a flop. Kaleb Smith, in the 59th minute ran out of dummy half to his left to carry the ball from twenty to thirty three metres from the try line.
In the 34th minute Kaleb Smith backed up a Mustangs line break down the right touchline by his winger and after the ball was knocked back by the Tweed Coast winger Kaleb Smith followed through a tackled the winger in the in-goal area to force a Raiders goal line drop-out.
Kaleb Smith made a try saving tackle in the 45th minute when he chased a Tweed Coast line break down the left touchline and after the ball was passed inside Kaleb Smith caught the Raiders right second rower from behind to save a try seven metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith continued off the bench in Round Eleven against the Casino Cougars with Kaleb Smith operating at dummy half after coming off the bench in the 30th minute.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at dummy half in the 35th minute of Round Thirteen against the Kyogle Turkeys with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his right in the 58th minute with Kaleb Smith stepping off his left foot as he ran the ball from thirty three to forty seven metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also forced a Kyogle goal line drop-out in the 71st minute when after running out of dummy half to his left and when eight metres from the try line Kaleb Smith put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal towards the post with the Turkeys five eight Shallin Fuller forced to run the ball over the dead ball line.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at dummy half in the 33rd minute of Round Fourteen against the Ballina Seagulls and in the 37th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his left to get the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line.
In the 78th minute Kalbe Smith looked right but ran to his left down a short left blindside from sixteen metres from the try line and got over the try line seven metres in from the left corner post however the referee ruled that Kaleb Smith had lost the ball over the try line being grounding the ball.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at dummy half at half time of Round Fifteen against the Northern United and in the 42nd minute Kaleb Smith ran to his left of out dummy half to run the ball through the centre of the field from twenty two to thirty four metres from his try line. Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his left in the 61st minute to carry the ball from thirty seven metres from his try line to three metres into Northern United’s half.
After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was rained up Kaleb Smith started at five eight for the Murwillumbah Mustangs against the Byron Bay Devils with Kaleb Smith making a line break in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and eighteen metres from his try lien Kaleb Smith dummied to an inside runner before slicing between two defenders and after getting into space forty metres out, Kaleb Smith got a right arm off-load away to his left centre.
In the 8th minute it initially appeared that Kaleb Smith had engineered a Murwillumbah try when after picking an errant pass out of dummy half on the first bounce from his right ten metres from the try line Kaleb Smith threw a hard flat twenty metre bullet pass to his left to put his left centre over to score only for the referee rule that the pass was thrown forward.
From the left of the play the ball in the 28th minute one thirty five metres from the try line Kaleb Smith carried the ball through the centre of the field to within a metre of the halfway mark. Kaleb Smith also did well in the 55th minute when he got the ball back from a Murwillumbah short kick-off to the left.
Kaleb Smith made a great tackle in the 10th minute when he drove his right shoulder into the ribs of the Byron Bay front rower No. 10 to force a knock on six metres from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith started at five eight in Round Nine against the Tweed Coast Raiders and in the 8th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty five metres from the try line Kaleb Smith dummied to his left before running himself to get the ball out to the forty metre mark.
Also from the left of the play the ball in the 20th minute Kaleb Smith ran the ball from thirty two to twenty metres from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left. Then in the 24th minute from the left of the play the ball once again Kaleb Smith was able to run the ball from the halfway mark to twenty nine metres from the try line and yet again Kaleb Smith was able to get his right arm free and get an off-load away to his left. Kaleb Smith also did well running the ball in the 31st minute to the left of the play the ball from ten metres inside his half to eight metres into Hornets territory.
Kaleb Smith produced a smart play in the 52nd minute with a left foot grubber kick from twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Kaleb Smith winning six more tackles due to the kick after it was knocked on by the Raiders fullback and after being regathered by Murwillumbah adjacent to the left goal posts the Mustangs scored in the right corner from the subsequent play the ball.
Kaleb Smith also started at five eight in Round Ten against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 25th minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside from nineteen metres from the try line Kaleb Smith poked his head through the Seagulls defensive line when ten metres from the try line before off-loading to his left to a charging Aaron Singh-Goesel who crashed over to score in the left corner.
Kaleb Smith also recorded a line break assist in the 39th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half Kaleb Smith threw a cut-out pass to his left when ten metres from his try line to put his centre down the left touchline to deep into Tweed Heads territory.
Kaleb Smith produced a smart piece of sleight of hand in the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball Kaleb Smith carried the ball down a short left blindside from twenty four to within eighteen metres of the try line with Kaleb Smith holding up a pass to his left to allow a defender to fly past with Kaleb Smith then off-loading to his left centre who as a result got to within a metre of the try line.
In the 33rd minute after dummying to his left and right Kaleb Smith from forty metres out was able to get the ball ten metres closer to the try line.
Kaleb Smith continued at five eight in Round Eleven against the Casino Cougars with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 30th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball eighteen metres out and in front of the posts Kaleb Smith subtly moved to his left and at the last moment threw a smart pass to his left to put Aaron Singh-Goesel into a gap and over to score after running straight over the top of the Casino fullback to ground the ball ten metres to the left of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith also started at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Kyogle Turkeys with Kaleb Smith doing well in the 7th minute to anticipate a Kyogle grubber kick from ten metres out with Kaleb Smith taking the grubber kick cleanly two metres from his try line and twelve metres in from the left corner post with Kaleb Smith then doing well to stay in the field of play.
Kaleb Smith started from the bench in the rescheduled Round One match against the Cudgen Hornets in the 34th minute to operate at dummy half before moving to five eight midway through the second row and in the 44th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right to carry the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.
Kaleb Smith started at left second row in Round Fifteen against Northern United with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 3rd minute when after running the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball from twenty three to fourteen metres from the try line Kaleb Smith drew two defenders before off-loading to his left to put his winger over to score in the left corner.
After returning a kick-off in the 10th minute to get the ball to the thirty metre mark, Kaleb Smith later in the same set of six tackles ran onto the ball two passes to the left of the dummy half to run the ball from forty eight to twenty eight metres from the try line breaking two tackles along the way. Also in the 24th minute after taking a kick-off on the full sixteen metres from his own try line on the left touchline Kaleb Smith returned the ball to the thirty seven metre mark.
Kaleb Smith moved to lock in Round Sixteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kaleb Smith making a line break in the 39th minute by way of a superb burst from the right of the play the ball from thirty metres from his own try line with Kaleb Smith breaking an impressive five tackles as he surged fifteen metres inside the Raiders territory.
After making the fourth hit-up of the match from two passes to the right of the play the ball to run from thirty to forty two metres from the try line (getting a penalty for being held down) Kaleb Smith, in the 3rd minute from the right of the play the ball saw him get the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line.
The 12th minute saw Kaleb Smith run the ball from the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from fourteen to twenty eight metres from the try line. Also in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball and after cutting back to his left Kaleb Smith carried the ball from thirty four to forty six metres from the try line.
In January 2023 Kaleb Smith started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 18th minute of the match.
Kaleb Smith also was named to start from the bench a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast.
Kaleb Smith also lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Kaleb Smith started at five eight for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Kaleb Smith recording a line break assist in the 57th minute with a smart catch and pass to his right forty metres from the try line to Taylan To’o who charged downfield to the twenty metre mark before getting an off-load away to his right for Donte Tahuhu-Wilson to score in the right corner.
Earlier in the 21st minute Kaleb Smith made a strong driving tackle on the New Zealand No. 21 forcing a knock-on six metres out from the Titans try line mid-way between the try line and corner post on the right side of the field.
In late September 2023 Kaleb Smith was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.
Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith named on the bench for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Kaleb Smith operating in the dummy half role after coming off the bench in the 26th minute.
Kaleb Smith was also named on the bench for Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field mid-way through the second half.
Kaleb Smith continued from the bench in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to play at lock in the 43rd minute with Kaleb Smith making a good run to the right of the play the ball to make seventeen metres to get the ball to within twenty metres of the halfway mark.
Then in the 47th minute Kaleb Smith made a strong tackle on the Mabel Park SHS fullback thirty metres out from the try line with Kaleb Smith’s tackle forcing a knock on.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Kaleb Smith operating at lock after coming onto the field in the 25th minute with Kaleb Smith making a good run from a PBC SHS penalty restart in the 39th minute making fourteen metres to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Kaleb Smith then made a great tackle in the 51st minute to drop the giant Redcliffe SHS front rower No. 10 in an instant.
In late September 2022 Kaleb Smith started from the bench for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Burleigh’s Pizzey Park with the Titans U16 side putting in an outstanding display of rugby league on the way to a deserved and comprehensive Titans 32 – 8 victory.
In late October 2022 Kaleb Smith was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after a stellar 2022 campaign at club, school boy and representative level.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights. Whilst Kaleb Smith started the match at hooker he moved to lock late in the first half before moving to five eight eight minutes into the second half.
Kaleb Smith recorded a line break assist in the 48th minute when with the play the ball thirty five metres away from the try line Kaleb Smith switched from the left side of the ruck to down a wide right blindside as the ball was being played with Kaleb Smith then throwing a good cut-out pass to his right to put Kyron Nipperess away down the right touchline.
Kaleb Smith made a positive impact on the match inside the opening minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line, Kaleb Smith ran to his left out of dummy half and after beating one defender by way of a right foot step, Kaleb Smith was able to promote the ball a total of fifteen metres.
Kaleb Smith made another smart run out of dummy half two minutes later in the 3rd minute when from thirty five metres out from the try line, Kaleb Smith ran to his left and after stepping off his left foot twice was able to get the ball to within twenty two metres out from the try line.
Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his left once again in the 20th minute from thirty five metres out when he say the defence still back peddling with Kaleb Smith running to his left to get within twenty five metres of the try line with Kaleb Smith catching the Knights defence in an offside position to be awarded a penalty as a result of his quick thinking.
Kaleb Smith darted out of dummy half once again in the 44th minute on that occasion to his right with Kaleb Smith able to make twelve metres from forty metres out from his own try line. Then in the 47th minute Kaleb Smith darted out of dummy half to his left once again from forty metres out from his own try line with Kaleb Smith able to get the ball five metres into Newcastle territory before his forward progress was halted.
Kaleb Smith also had some good moments defensively against the Knights including in the 43rd minute with a strong one on one tackle with the Knights deep on the attack with Kaleb Smith’s heavy initial contact forcing a loose pass by the Knights attacker.
Kaleb Smith was then named to start at five eight in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Kaleb Smith executing a superb heavy front on tackle just over two minutes into the match when just as the giant Central Coast Roosters front rower No. 10 took possession of the match just five metres inside Northern Rivers Titans territory Kaleb Smith smashed him with a great front on tackle with the Roosters player knocking on as a result of Kaleb Smith’s powerful initial contact in the tackle.
Kaleb Smith made another strong tackle in the 24th minute, on that occasion on the Knights second rower No. 11 with Kaleb Smith smashing him just three metres out from the try line with the heavy initial contact by Kaleb Smith forcing the ball loose.
Kaleb Smith then made a try saving tackle in the 34th minute right on the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field on the Central Coast fullback with once again Kaleb Smith’s heavy initial contact forcing the fullback to lose possession.
Kaleb Smith made the first of a number of smart runs in the 13th minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball, Kaleb Smith stepped his way within two metres of the try line and then after being impeded received a six again call in his favour. Then in the 27th minute Kaleb Smith once again got within two metres of the try line after initially receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and twelve metres out.
Kaleb Smith was also named at five eight for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Kaleb Smith scoring in the 6th minute of the match. After receiving the ball from the dummy half to his left twelve metres out and to the right of the posts, Kaleb Smith immediately stepped off his right foot and then charged between two defenders to crash over to score three metres to the right of the goal posts.
A minute earlier Kaleb Smith from twenty metres out and in the centre of the field Kaleb Smith had put up a left foot bomb towards the right corner but the kick was taken on the full by the Dragons left winger who then threatened to run 100 metres to score but Kaleb Smith raced to his right and tackled the South Coast winger into touch twenty metres out with Kaleb Smith scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.
In just the 3rd minute of the match Kaleb Smith put in a long raking left foot kick from thirty five metres out from his own try line with Kaleb Smith’s kick fielded by the South Coast fullback just two metres out from his own try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at five eight in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Kaleb Smith scoring in the 42nd minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball Kaleb Smith initially shaped to pass to his right before stepping off his right foot and surging forward to crash over to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Kaleb Smith also recorded a line break assist in the 29th minute when Kaleb Smith put right second rower Cruz Dangerfield through a gap down the right channel just inside Northern Rivers territory with Cruz Dangerfield making sixteen metres.
Kaleb Smith also did well in the 34th minute when after tracking back onto his own twenty metre defensive area, Kaleb Smith collected a Tigers attacking kick and as he ran the ball towards the centre of the field Kaleb Smith broke three tackles as he promoted the ball twelve metres.
Kaleb Smith along with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made a great try saving tackle on the Tigers left centre just six metres in from the Titans right corner post to hold up the hard charging centre over the try line in the 17th minute.
Even though he was still U16 eligible Kaleb Smith came off the bench in Round Two of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the 52nd minute against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
Kaleb Smith continued from the bench in Round Three against the Cudgen Hornets with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to operate on the right side of the field in the 42nd minute.
Kaleb Smith also came off the bench in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Kaleb Smith operating in the halves on the right side of the field when Kaleb Smith came off the bench in the 48th minute.
Kaleb Smith also came off the bench in Round Six against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Kaleb Smith scoring his first NRRRL U18 try in the 37th minute when Kaleb Smith chased through a grubber kick and picked up the ball around eight metres from the try line and dive over to score adjacent to the left upright. In fact Kaleb Smith had played the ball so Kaleb Smith did well to stay focussed and on side.
Kaleb Smith had come onto the field in the 16th minute and in the 19th minute took a hit-up from the left of the play the ball and carried the ball from thirty metres from the try line to eighteen metres away.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Round Ten against the Casino Cougars.
Kaleb Smith continued from the bench Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets and after coming onto the field in the second half to operate at lock Kaleb Smith made a heavy front on tackle in the Jets No. 11 thirty five metres out and in the centre of the field.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Round Fifteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kaleb Smith recording a line break assist in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball on the halfway mark, Kaleb Smith was able to get the ball ten metres into Tweed Coast territory before getting away a smrat right arm off-load in a tackle to his left to put his fullback away through the centre of the field.
Kaleb Smith continued off the bench in Round Sixteen against the Bilambil Jets with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field at halftime.
The Week Two NRRRL U18 Qualifying Final saw Kaleb Smith continue from the bench against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and after coming onto the field in the 46th minute Kaleb Smith took his first hit-up almost immediately from the right of the play the ball to run the ball from thirty five metres out from the try line to twenty three metres out.
In the 53rd minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres out, Kaleb Smith was able to promote the ball to within twenty six metres of the try line. Then in the 55th minute with the scores locked at 16 all Kaleb Smith charged at the Seagulls defensive line from the right of the dummy half and when he was ten metres out Kaleb Smith was collected by a high tackle with Bo Peisley kicking the subsequently penalty goal from ten metres out from the try line and directly in front of the posts.
In the 52nd minute with the scores tied up at 16 all Kaleb Smith did well to stop the Seagulls dummy half from burrowing way over from close range with Kaleb Smith getting low and forcing the Tweed Heads player to ground short of the try line, then from the marker position after the play the ball Kaleb Smith darted to his right and hit the Tweed Heads front rower No. 10 and force him to loose the ball over the try line and but for Kaleb Smith’s intervention the Seagulls would have scored under the posts and take the lead with time quickly ticking down.
Then in the 58th minute Kaleb Smith crunched the Tweed Heads front rower No. 10 a metre from the try line and next to the right goal post to prevent a try and maintain Murwillumbah’s 18 – 16 lead.
The 2023 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Kaleb Smith start from the bench for the Murwillumbah Mustang against the Bilambil Jets with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to operate as a running backrower in the 23rd minute.
In the 29th minute from the right of the play the ball Kaleb Smith ran the ball from twenty seven metres out from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 38th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Kaleb Smith made the hardest of yardage carries to get the ball from literally on his own try line to ten metres out.
The five eight, lock or hooker from the Titans partnered Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) State High School was selected in the 2022 Queensland Maroon U15 Queensland School Boy Rugby League Representative Side for the Australian Championships after representing South Coast at the Queensland U15 School Boy Championships that were held at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Kaleb Smith started from the bench in the opening match of the Championships against NSW CHS with Kaleb Smith coming off the bench mid-way through the opening half with Kaleb Smith operating as a link between the Qld Maroon forwards and backline.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Match Two against NSW CCC coming on mid-way through the first half to operate at lock once again. Kaleb Smith then moved into the starting side at lock in Queensland Maroon’s heart breaking golden point extra time semi-final loss against NSW CIS.
2022 also saw Kaleb Smith play for the PBC SHS Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League side with Kaleb Smith operating primarily at lock although Kaleb Smith did start Round Six against Keebra Park SHS in the front row with Kaleb Smith bumping off one Keebra Park SHS defender in the 19th minute on the way to making twelve metres to get the ball within thirty metres of the PBC SHS try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at lock for PBC SHS in the 2022 Walters Cup semi-final against Marsden SHS with Kaleb Smith once again being a link between his forwards and backs.
At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition Kaleb Smith was named at lock in the impressive 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup Team of the Season with Kaleb Smith one of only a few 15 year old’s named.
In 2022 Kaleb Smith also played his club rugby league with the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 U15 competition including starting at five eight in the Grand Final against Byron Bay/Lennox Head and at the 2022 Murwillumbah Colts Awards Kaleb Smith was named the 2022 Murwillumbah Colts U15 Best Back.
The 2022 Queensland Maroon U15 ASSRL School Boy side was not the first representative side that Kaleb Smith has made as in 2019 Kaleb Smith was named in the Queensland U12 Primary School Boy Rugby League Representative side.
Kaleb Smith is a smooth strong runner of the ball who seems to glide across the field effortlessly and certainly has an extra gear in relation to the speed he possesses as well as plus speed off the mark. In the centre position, Kaleb Smith has the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game.
When he gets the ball early from his inside play makers, Kaleb Smith is incredibly difficult to deal with one on one, as whilst his speed has already been noted, Kaleb Smith is also a strong ball runner who has the power to also break tackles through sheer power and not just rely on his speed to beat his opponent.
The one thing that Kaleb Smith also seems to be able to do well, is to step back inside without the loss of his speed or forward momentum, opposing defenders seem to push out quickly when he has the ball expecting him to look to beat them on their outside, if they come across to far, Kaleb Smith has a very good step back side and if the inside defenders are not quick enough to cover across Kaleb Smith has the speed to make a clean break in those circumstances.
Similarly when an opposing defender looks to come out of the line quickly to put pressure on him, Kaleb Smith’s quick twitch feet means that he can step off either foot quickly to negate the attempt to cut down his time. In short, he is a very talented attacking player who looks to beat his opponent with speed and guile rather than purely by brute strength.
Defensively Kaleb Smith is solid at wrapping the ball up and slides well in defence and Kaleb Smith has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well.
Kaleb Smith will start the 2025 season as a member of the Burleigh Bears U19 MM Cup squad and post the 2025 MM cup Kaleb Smith will either stay on the Gold Coast or return to Murwillumbah and play for the Mustangs in the NRRRL First Grade competition.
Kaleb Smith, with his ability to run the ball and his ball playing ability to be a great link between for forwards and back, looks an ideal modern day rugby league lock forward although Kaleb Smith is also a solid rugby league dummy half prospect.
From an NRL player comparison perspective for Kaleb Smith think along the lines of someone like Souths Sydney Rabbitohs, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International lock Cameron Murray.
Like Murray, Kaleb Smith is developing into a very solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line and when engaged with the defensive line as well as running the ball effectively as well.
Kaleb Smith just looks to be a natural footballer with an innate ability to know where and when to pass the ball as well as having a hard edge in defence. The Titans have a very very good one in Kaleb Smith, a very good one indeed.
In early January 2024 Kaleb Smith started at hooker for a Titans U17 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.
In early March 2024 Kaleb Smith was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Kaleb Smith starting at hooker on Day One against Met North.
Kaleb Smith recorded a try assist in the 18th minute when with the play the ball four metres from the try line to just to the left of the goal posts Kaleb Smith looked left but played right with a held up pass to allow the lead runner to go through to his right to Cooper Bai who crashed over to score under the posts.
In the 57th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right from ten metres inside his own territory to get the ball five metres into Met North territory.
Kaleb Smith did well in the 59th minute with South Coast leading by two points, when along with Nelson Makaafi and Cooper Bai, Kaleb Smith hit the Met North hooker on the try line and force a knock on after a run out of dummy half.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker on Day Two against Met East with Kaleb Smith running to his right out of dummy half in the 7th minute to get the ball from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 9th minute to get the ball from forty eight metres to thirty seven metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker on Day Three against Northern with Kaleb Smith running to his left out of dummy half to the 48th minute to make a smart run from thirty three metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark after straight through the centre of the field.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker on Day Four against Met North with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his left from thirty five metres to twenty five metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also recorded a try assist in the 18th minute when with the play the ball eight metres from the try line and just to the left of the goal posts Kaleb Smith looked to his left but played to his right by holding up his pass to let a lead runner go through before hitting Cooper Bai with a pass to his right with Cooper Bai scoring under the posts.
Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith start at hooker for PBC SHS against Ipswich SHS with Kaleb Smith along with Hai Hiawe King making the opening two tackles of the match from the PBC SHS kick-off.
The 25th minute saw Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right from twelve metres out with Kaleb Smith getting within a metre of the try line with Kaleb Smith catching the Ipswich SHS defence offside with PBC SHS awarded a penalty as a result. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 53rd minute to carry the ball from eighteen metres to thirty metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS as well as Round Three against Mabel Park SHS.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker in Round Four against Caloundra SHS and in the 5th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right and ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty seven metres to within eight metres of the try line and then Kaleb Smith was awarded a penalty after being held down.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in Round Five against Marsden SHS with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 13th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left down a left blindside from ten metres out Kaleb Smith ran to within five metres of the try line before throwing a short pass to his left to lead Sam Stephenson onto the ball and to crash over to score three metres in from the left corner post.
Kaleb Smith continued at hooker in Round Six against Wavell SHS.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 46th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and to the left of the goal posts Kaleb Smith ran to his left and brought his left second rower back underneath to crash over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Kaleb Smith made his initial run out of dummy half in the match in the 5th minute to his left to get from twenty eight to thirty eight metres from the try line. Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right in the 14th minute from six metres inside his half to nine metres into Keebra Park SHS territory.
Kaleb Smith did exceptionally week defensively to chase down the Keebra Park SHS five eight who had made a line break from deep inside his own half with Kaleb Smith bringing him down from behind in the halfway mark. Kaleb Smith also did well defensively in the 54th minute when he was involved in holding up one of the Keebra Park SHS starting front rowers No. 10 nine metres to the right of the goal posts.
PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Kaleb Smith start at hooker against Stretton State College with Kaleb Smith then operating at five eight late in the second half.
Kaleb Smith made a line break in the 46th minute with an effort out of dummy half to his right from twenty three metres from his try line with Kaleb Smith bursting through the heart of the Stretton State College defensive line to the halfway mark with Kaleb Smith then off-loading to his right to Jac Finnigan.
Kaleb Smith made his initial foray out of dummy half in just the 3rd minute to his left from ten metres inside his half to five metres into Stretton State College territory. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 19th minute and as a result got the ball from twenty three to within ten metres of the try line and ten metres in from the left touchline.
Kaleb Smith started at hooker for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his left through the centre of the field from forty to thirty metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith did well defensively in the 7th minute when along with Ray Puru and Isaac Harrison he was able to hold up the Keebra Park SHS hooker Austin Marsters over the try line ten metres to the right of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith started at hooker for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS and Kelab Smith also spent ten minutes early in the match at five eight and in the 4th minute Kaleb Smith produced a huge tackle on the Marsden SHS left second rower No. 11 that saw Kaleb Smith dump him on his back after driving him backwards twenty metres from the PBC SHS try line.
At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Kaleb Smith was named as a player that the Courier Mail is looking to see more of in the Langer Cup in 2025.
The 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League Phil Hall Cup Grand Final to determine Queensland’s best 2024 School Boy Rugby League School Boy side saw Kaleb Smith start at hooker for PBC SHS against Kirwan SHS.
The 15th minute saw Kaleb Smith run out of dummy half down a short left blindside form thirty to forty two metres from the try line. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 42nd minute to move the ball from the halfway to twelve metres into Kirwan SHS territory.
Kaleb Smith started at hooker for PBC SHS in the 2024 National School Boy Rugby League Final against Patrician Brothers Blacktown with Kaleb Smith coming close to scoring in the 12th minute only to be held up over the try line ten metres to the right of the goal posts after running to his left out of dummy half from nine metres out.
Kaleb Smith executed a critical tackle in the 50th minute when in the 50th minute and PBC SHS needing a turnover Kaleb Smith drove his left shoulder in the midrift of the Patrician Brothers lock and force a knock on in the centre of the field and thirty five metres out with PBC SHS scoring a minute later to get back into the match.
In late September 2023 Kaleb Smith was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Kaleb Smith also being U18 eligible in 2025.
Round One of the 2024 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Kaleb Smith making a strong driving front on tackle in the opening set of six tackles after Northern Rivers had kicked off on the Knights fullback in the centre of the field and twenty eight metres from the try line.
The 10th minute saw Kaleb Smith run out of dummy half to his left to carry the ball from the thirty five metre mark to the halfway mark. Kaleb Smith also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 15th minute from four metres inside his own territory and got the ball seven metres into Newcastle territory.
Kaleb Smith then ran out of dummy half to his right in the 49th minute and broke two tackles as Kaleb Smith ran the ball to within twenty six metres of the try line after picking the ball up from dummy half forty metres out. Kaleb Smith also ran to his right out of dummy half in the 52nd minute to run from thirty six metres from his own try line to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Kaleb Smith also started at hooker in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Kaleb Smith coming close to scoring in the 45th minute only to be ruled to have been held up under the posts after running to his left out of dummy half form six metres out.
The 54th minute saw Kaleb Smith throw the final pass to his left for Kai Saric’s try and Kaleb Smith had run to his left out of dummy half in the 13th minute from get the ball from forty three metres from his own try line to the twenty eight metre mark.
Kaleb Smith made a strong tackle in the 23rd minute with a right shoulder driving tackle on the Central Coast No. 2 with Kaleb Smith hitting him sixteen metres out and driving him back to ten metres from the try line. Kelab Smith hit the Central Coast No. 2 once again in the 46th minute with a great tackle thirty metres from the try line with Kaleb Smith then backing up to also make the next tackle after moving to his right from the marker position.
Kaleb Smith then started from the bench in Round Four against the Northern Tigers and after coming onto the field late in the first half Kaleb Smith recorded a line break assist in the 42nd minute when after packing into a scrum at lock thirty four metres from the try line, Kaleb Smith picked the ball up from the back of the scrum and ran to his right down a short blindside and after drawing the Tigers left winger Kaleb Smith passed to his right to Harry Chadburn who made a line break down the right touchline to within five metres of the try line.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs and after coming onto the field late in the first half to operate in the dummy half role Kaleb Smith scored in the 38th minute as a result of a run out of dummy half to his left with Kaleb Smith darting over to score from four metres out to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith continued off the bench in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to play five eight late in the first half with Kaleb Smith making a good run to the left of a Northern Rivers scrum win in the 47th minute when after continuing to run to his left after receiving the ball Kaleb Smith did well to get the ball from eighteen metres from the try line to within three metres mid-way between the try line and corner post on the left side of the field.
In the 59th minute after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Kaleb Smith accelerated quickly and as a result was able to get to within two metres of the try line ten metres in from the left corner post. Then in the 63rd minute after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half Kaleb Smith dummied to his inside and outside before running himself from thirty five metres from the try line to within nineteen metres.
Kaleb Smith also forced a St George goal line drop-out in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball down a short left blindside ten metres out, Kaleb Smith put in a short left chip kick into the in-goal with the ball touched by St George to require the goal line drop-out restart.
Kaleb Smith made his NRRRL First Grade debut when he came off the bench in Round Three of the 2024 season against the Evans Head Bombers and also came off the bench in Round Four against the Bilambil Jets.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at five eight on the right side of the field in the 15th minute of Round Eight against the Mullumbimby Giants with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 33rd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and twenty six metres from the try line Kaleb Smith dug deep into the defensive line before holding up and then throwing a well weighted pass to his right to put his right second rower into space and subsequently over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
Kaleb Smith did well to create space for his outside backs in the 66th minute Kaleb Smith ran the ball down a short right blindside from twenty four metres to thirty four metres from his try line with Kaleb Smith throwing a good short pass to his right to put his right winger into a big gap but unfortunately the ball went to ground.
Kaleb Smith showed his toughness defensively in the 42nd minute with a driving left shoulder tackle when he anticipated a flat Mullumbimby pass to crunch the Giants lock ten metres from the try line and then from second marker Kaleb Smith flipped the dummy half onto his back to prevent him from forcing his way over from dummy half with Kaleb Smith stopping him just short of the try line ten metres to the left of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith also came off the bench in Round Nine against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kaleb Smith operating at dummy half after coming onto the field in the 30th minute with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his right in the 51st to run the ball from thirty seven to twenty six metres from the try line after stepping off his right foot to target the area behind the markers with Kaleb Smith then awarded a penalty for a flop. Kaleb Smith, in the 59th minute ran out of dummy half to his left to carry the ball from twenty to thirty three metres from the try line.
In the 34th minute Kaleb Smith backed up a Mustangs line break down the right touchline by his winger and after the ball was knocked back by the Tweed Coast winger Kaleb Smith followed through a tackled the winger in the in-goal area to force a Raiders goal line drop-out.
Kaleb Smith made a try saving tackle in the 45th minute when he chased a Tweed Coast line break down the left touchline and after the ball was passed inside Kaleb Smith caught the Raiders right second rower from behind to save a try seven metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith continued off the bench in Round Eleven against the Casino Cougars with Kaleb Smith operating at dummy half after coming off the bench in the 30th minute.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at dummy half in the 35th minute of Round Thirteen against the Kyogle Turkeys with Kaleb Smith running out of dummy half to his right in the 58th minute with Kaleb Smith stepping off his left foot as he ran the ball from thirty three to forty seven metres from the try line.
Kaleb Smith also forced a Kyogle goal line drop-out in the 71st minute when after running out of dummy half to his left and when eight metres from the try line Kaleb Smith put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal towards the post with the Turkeys five eight Shallin Fuller forced to run the ball over the dead ball line.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at dummy half in the 33rd minute of Round Fourteen against the Ballina Seagulls and in the 37th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his left to get the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line.
In the 78th minute Kalbe Smith looked right but ran to his left down a short left blindside from sixteen metres from the try line and got over the try line seven metres in from the left corner post however the referee ruled that Kaleb Smith had lost the ball over the try line being grounding the ball.
Kaleb Smith came off the bench to operate at dummy half at half time of Round Fifteen against the Northern United and in the 42nd minute Kaleb Smith ran to his left of out dummy half to run the ball through the centre of the field from twenty two to thirty four metres from his try line. Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his left in the 61st minute to carry the ball from thirty seven metres from his try line to three metres into Northern United’s half.
After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was rained up Kaleb Smith started at five eight for the Murwillumbah Mustangs against the Byron Bay Devils with Kaleb Smith making a line break in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and eighteen metres from his try lien Kaleb Smith dummied to an inside runner before slicing between two defenders and after getting into space forty metres out, Kaleb Smith got a right arm off-load away to his left centre.
In the 8th minute it initially appeared that Kaleb Smith had engineered a Murwillumbah try when after picking an errant pass out of dummy half on the first bounce from his right ten metres from the try line Kaleb Smith threw a hard flat twenty metre bullet pass to his left to put his left centre over to score only for the referee rule that the pass was thrown forward.
From the left of the play the ball in the 28th minute one thirty five metres from the try line Kaleb Smith carried the ball through the centre of the field to within a metre of the halfway mark. Kaleb Smith also did well in the 55th minute when he got the ball back from a Murwillumbah short kick-off to the left.
Kaleb Smith made a great tackle in the 10th minute when he drove his right shoulder into the ribs of the Byron Bay front rower No. 10 to force a knock on six metres from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith started at five eight in Round Nine against the Tweed Coast Raiders and in the 8th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty five metres from the try line Kaleb Smith dummied to his left before running himself to get the ball out to the forty metre mark.
Also from the left of the play the ball in the 20th minute Kaleb Smith ran the ball from thirty two to twenty metres from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left. Then in the 24th minute from the left of the play the ball once again Kaleb Smith was able to run the ball from the halfway mark to twenty nine metres from the try line and yet again Kaleb Smith was able to get his right arm free and get an off-load away to his left. Kaleb Smith also did well running the ball in the 31st minute to the left of the play the ball from ten metres inside his half to eight metres into Hornets territory.
Kaleb Smith produced a smart play in the 52nd minute with a left foot grubber kick from twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Kaleb Smith winning six more tackles due to the kick after it was knocked on by the Raiders fullback and after being regathered by Murwillumbah adjacent to the left goal posts the Mustangs scored in the right corner from the subsequent play the ball.
Kaleb Smith also started at five eight in Round Ten against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 25th minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside from nineteen metres from the try line Kaleb Smith poked his head through the Seagulls defensive line when ten metres from the try line before off-loading to his left to a charging Aaron Singh-Goesel who crashed over to score in the left corner.
Kaleb Smith also recorded a line break assist in the 39th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half Kaleb Smith threw a cut-out pass to his left when ten metres from his try line to put his centre down the left touchline to deep into Tweed Heads territory.
Kaleb Smith produced a smart piece of sleight of hand in the 18th minute from the left of the play the ball Kaleb Smith carried the ball down a short left blindside from twenty four to within eighteen metres of the try line with Kaleb Smith holding up a pass to his left to allow a defender to fly past with Kaleb Smith then off-loading to his left centre who as a result got to within a metre of the try line.
In the 33rd minute after dummying to his left and right Kaleb Smith from forty metres out was able to get the ball ten metres closer to the try line.
Kaleb Smith continued at five eight in Round Eleven against the Casino Cougars with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 30th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball eighteen metres out and in front of the posts Kaleb Smith subtly moved to his left and at the last moment threw a smart pass to his left to put Aaron Singh-Goesel into a gap and over to score after running straight over the top of the Casino fullback to ground the ball ten metres to the left of the goal posts.
Kaleb Smith also started at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Kyogle Turkeys with Kaleb Smith doing well in the 7th minute to anticipate a Kyogle grubber kick from ten metres out with Kaleb Smith taking the grubber kick cleanly two metres from his try line and twelve metres in from the left corner post with Kaleb Smith then doing well to stay in the field of play.
Kaleb Smith started from the bench in the rescheduled Round One match against the Cudgen Hornets in the 34th minute to operate at dummy half before moving to five eight midway through the second row and in the 44th minute Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his right to carry the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.
Kaleb Smith started at left second row in Round Fifteen against Northern United with Kaleb Smith recording a try assist in the 3rd minute when after running the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball from twenty three to fourteen metres from the try line Kaleb Smith drew two defenders before off-loading to his left to put his winger over to score in the left corner.
After returning a kick-off in the 10th minute to get the ball to the thirty metre mark, Kaleb Smith later in the same set of six tackles ran onto the ball two passes to the left of the dummy half to run the ball from forty eight to twenty eight metres from the try line breaking two tackles along the way. Also in the 24th minute after taking a kick-off on the full sixteen metres from his own try line on the left touchline Kaleb Smith returned the ball to the thirty seven metre mark.
Kaleb Smith moved to lock in Round Sixteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kaleb Smith making a line break in the 39th minute by way of a superb burst from the right of the play the ball from thirty metres from his own try line with Kaleb Smith breaking an impressive five tackles as he surged fifteen metres inside the Raiders territory.
After making the fourth hit-up of the match from two passes to the right of the play the ball to run from thirty to forty two metres from the try line (getting a penalty for being held down) Kaleb Smith, in the 3rd minute from the right of the play the ball saw him get the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line.
The 12th minute saw Kaleb Smith run the ball from the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from fourteen to twenty eight metres from the try line. Also in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball and after cutting back to his left Kaleb Smith carried the ball from thirty four to forty six metres from the try line.
In January 2023 Kaleb Smith started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 18th minute of the match.
Kaleb Smith also was named to start from the bench a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast.
Kaleb Smith also lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Kaleb Smith started at five eight for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Kaleb Smith recording a line break assist in the 57th minute with a smart catch and pass to his right forty metres from the try line to Taylan To’o who charged downfield to the twenty metre mark before getting an off-load away to his right for Donte Tahuhu-Wilson to score in the right corner.
Earlier in the 21st minute Kaleb Smith made a strong driving tackle on the New Zealand No. 21 forcing a knock-on six metres out from the Titans try line mid-way between the try line and corner post on the right side of the field.
In late September 2023 Kaleb Smith was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.
Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith named on the bench for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Kaleb Smith operating in the dummy half role after coming off the bench in the 26th minute.
Kaleb Smith was also named on the bench for Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field mid-way through the second half.
Kaleb Smith continued from the bench in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to play at lock in the 43rd minute with Kaleb Smith making a good run to the right of the play the ball to make seventeen metres to get the ball to within twenty metres of the halfway mark.
Then in the 47th minute Kaleb Smith made a strong tackle on the Mabel Park SHS fullback thirty metres out from the try line with Kaleb Smith’s tackle forcing a knock on.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Kaleb Smith operating at lock after coming onto the field in the 25th minute with Kaleb Smith making a good run from a PBC SHS penalty restart in the 39th minute making fourteen metres to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Kaleb Smith then made a great tackle in the 51st minute to drop the giant Redcliffe SHS front rower No. 10 in an instant.
In late September 2022 Kaleb Smith started from the bench for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Burleigh’s Pizzey Park with the Titans U16 side putting in an outstanding display of rugby league on the way to a deserved and comprehensive Titans 32 – 8 victory.
In late October 2022 Kaleb Smith was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after a stellar 2022 campaign at club, school boy and representative level.
Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Kaleb Smith named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights. Whilst Kaleb Smith started the match at hooker he moved to lock late in the first half before moving to five eight eight minutes into the second half.
Kaleb Smith recorded a line break assist in the 48th minute when with the play the ball thirty five metres away from the try line Kaleb Smith switched from the left side of the ruck to down a wide right blindside as the ball was being played with Kaleb Smith then throwing a good cut-out pass to his right to put Kyron Nipperess away down the right touchline.
Kaleb Smith made a positive impact on the match inside the opening minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line, Kaleb Smith ran to his left out of dummy half and after beating one defender by way of a right foot step, Kaleb Smith was able to promote the ball a total of fifteen metres.
Kaleb Smith made another smart run out of dummy half two minutes later in the 3rd minute when from thirty five metres out from the try line, Kaleb Smith ran to his left and after stepping off his left foot twice was able to get the ball to within twenty two metres out from the try line.
Kaleb Smith ran out of dummy half to his left once again in the 20th minute from thirty five metres out when he say the defence still back peddling with Kaleb Smith running to his left to get within twenty five metres of the try line with Kaleb Smith catching the Knights defence in an offside position to be awarded a penalty as a result of his quick thinking.
Kaleb Smith darted out of dummy half once again in the 44th minute on that occasion to his right with Kaleb Smith able to make twelve metres from forty metres out from his own try line. Then in the 47th minute Kaleb Smith darted out of dummy half to his left once again from forty metres out from his own try line with Kaleb Smith able to get the ball five metres into Newcastle territory before his forward progress was halted.
Kaleb Smith also had some good moments defensively against the Knights including in the 43rd minute with a strong one on one tackle with the Knights deep on the attack with Kaleb Smith’s heavy initial contact forcing a loose pass by the Knights attacker.
Kaleb Smith was then named to start at five eight in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Kaleb Smith executing a superb heavy front on tackle just over two minutes into the match when just as the giant Central Coast Roosters front rower No. 10 took possession of the match just five metres inside Northern Rivers Titans territory Kaleb Smith smashed him with a great front on tackle with the Roosters player knocking on as a result of Kaleb Smith’s powerful initial contact in the tackle.
Kaleb Smith made another strong tackle in the 24th minute, on that occasion on the Knights second rower No. 11 with Kaleb Smith smashing him just three metres out from the try line with the heavy initial contact by Kaleb Smith forcing the ball loose.
Kaleb Smith then made a try saving tackle in the 34th minute right on the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field on the Central Coast fullback with once again Kaleb Smith’s heavy initial contact forcing the fullback to lose possession.
Kaleb Smith made the first of a number of smart runs in the 13th minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball, Kaleb Smith stepped his way within two metres of the try line and then after being impeded received a six again call in his favour. Then in the 27th minute Kaleb Smith once again got within two metres of the try line after initially receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and twelve metres out.
Kaleb Smith was also named at five eight for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Kaleb Smith scoring in the 6th minute of the match. After receiving the ball from the dummy half to his left twelve metres out and to the right of the posts, Kaleb Smith immediately stepped off his right foot and then charged between two defenders to crash over to score three metres to the right of the goal posts.
A minute earlier Kaleb Smith from twenty metres out and in the centre of the field Kaleb Smith had put up a left foot bomb towards the right corner but the kick was taken on the full by the Dragons left winger who then threatened to run 100 metres to score but Kaleb Smith raced to his right and tackled the South Coast winger into touch twenty metres out with Kaleb Smith scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.
In just the 3rd minute of the match Kaleb Smith put in a long raking left foot kick from thirty five metres out from his own try line with Kaleb Smith’s kick fielded by the South Coast fullback just two metres out from his own try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at five eight in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Kaleb Smith scoring in the 42nd minute when from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball Kaleb Smith initially shaped to pass to his right before stepping off his right foot and surging forward to crash over to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Kaleb Smith also recorded a line break assist in the 29th minute when Kaleb Smith put right second rower Cruz Dangerfield through a gap down the right channel just inside Northern Rivers territory with Cruz Dangerfield making sixteen metres.
Kaleb Smith also did well in the 34th minute when after tracking back onto his own twenty metre defensive area, Kaleb Smith collected a Tigers attacking kick and as he ran the ball towards the centre of the field Kaleb Smith broke three tackles as he promoted the ball twelve metres.
Kaleb Smith along with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh made a great try saving tackle on the Tigers left centre just six metres in from the Titans right corner post to hold up the hard charging centre over the try line in the 17th minute.
Even though he was still U16 eligible Kaleb Smith came off the bench in Round Two of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the 52nd minute against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
Kaleb Smith continued from the bench in Round Three against the Cudgen Hornets with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to operate on the right side of the field in the 42nd minute.
Kaleb Smith also came off the bench in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Kaleb Smith operating in the halves on the right side of the field when Kaleb Smith came off the bench in the 48th minute.
Kaleb Smith also came off the bench in Round Six against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Kaleb Smith scoring his first NRRRL U18 try in the 37th minute when Kaleb Smith chased through a grubber kick and picked up the ball around eight metres from the try line and dive over to score adjacent to the left upright. In fact Kaleb Smith had played the ball so Kaleb Smith did well to stay focussed and on side.
Kaleb Smith had come onto the field in the 16th minute and in the 19th minute took a hit-up from the left of the play the ball and carried the ball from thirty metres from the try line to eighteen metres away.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Round Ten against the Casino Cougars.
Kaleb Smith continued from the bench Round Twelve against the Bilambil Jets and after coming onto the field in the second half to operate at lock Kaleb Smith made a heavy front on tackle in the Jets No. 11 thirty five metres out and in the centre of the field.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Round Fifteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kaleb Smith recording a line break assist in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball on the halfway mark, Kaleb Smith was able to get the ball ten metres into Tweed Coast territory before getting away a smrat right arm off-load in a tackle to his left to put his fullback away through the centre of the field.
Kaleb Smith continued off the bench in Round Sixteen against the Bilambil Jets with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field at halftime.
The Week Two NRRRL U18 Qualifying Final saw Kaleb Smith continue from the bench against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and after coming onto the field in the 46th minute Kaleb Smith took his first hit-up almost immediately from the right of the play the ball to run the ball from thirty five metres out from the try line to twenty three metres out.
In the 53rd minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres out, Kaleb Smith was able to promote the ball to within twenty six metres of the try line. Then in the 55th minute with the scores locked at 16 all Kaleb Smith charged at the Seagulls defensive line from the right of the dummy half and when he was ten metres out Kaleb Smith was collected by a high tackle with Bo Peisley kicking the subsequently penalty goal from ten metres out from the try line and directly in front of the posts.
In the 52nd minute with the scores tied up at 16 all Kaleb Smith did well to stop the Seagulls dummy half from burrowing way over from close range with Kaleb Smith getting low and forcing the Tweed Heads player to ground short of the try line, then from the marker position after the play the ball Kaleb Smith darted to his right and hit the Tweed Heads front rower No. 10 and force him to loose the ball over the try line and but for Kaleb Smith’s intervention the Seagulls would have scored under the posts and take the lead with time quickly ticking down.
Then in the 58th minute Kaleb Smith crunched the Tweed Heads front rower No. 10 a metre from the try line and next to the right goal post to prevent a try and maintain Murwillumbah’s 18 – 16 lead.
The 2023 NRRRL U18 Grand Final saw Kaleb Smith start from the bench for the Murwillumbah Mustang against the Bilambil Jets with Kaleb Smith coming onto the field to operate as a running backrower in the 23rd minute.
In the 29th minute from the right of the play the ball Kaleb Smith ran the ball from twenty seven metres out from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 38th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Kaleb Smith made the hardest of yardage carries to get the ball from literally on his own try line to ten metres out.
The five eight, lock or hooker from the Titans partnered Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) State High School was selected in the 2022 Queensland Maroon U15 Queensland School Boy Rugby League Representative Side for the Australian Championships after representing South Coast at the Queensland U15 School Boy Championships that were held at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Kaleb Smith started from the bench in the opening match of the Championships against NSW CHS with Kaleb Smith coming off the bench mid-way through the opening half with Kaleb Smith operating as a link between the Qld Maroon forwards and backline.
Kaleb Smith also started from the bench in Match Two against NSW CCC coming on mid-way through the first half to operate at lock once again. Kaleb Smith then moved into the starting side at lock in Queensland Maroon’s heart breaking golden point extra time semi-final loss against NSW CIS.
2022 also saw Kaleb Smith play for the PBC SHS Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League side with Kaleb Smith operating primarily at lock although Kaleb Smith did start Round Six against Keebra Park SHS in the front row with Kaleb Smith bumping off one Keebra Park SHS defender in the 19th minute on the way to making twelve metres to get the ball within thirty metres of the PBC SHS try line.
Kaleb Smith also started at lock for PBC SHS in the 2022 Walters Cup semi-final against Marsden SHS with Kaleb Smith once again being a link between his forwards and backs.
At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Walters Cup competition Kaleb Smith was named at lock in the impressive 2022 Courier Mail Walters Cup Team of the Season with Kaleb Smith one of only a few 15 year old’s named.
In 2022 Kaleb Smith also played his club rugby league with the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 U15 competition including starting at five eight in the Grand Final against Byron Bay/Lennox Head and at the 2022 Murwillumbah Colts Awards Kaleb Smith was named the 2022 Murwillumbah Colts U15 Best Back.
The 2022 Queensland Maroon U15 ASSRL School Boy side was not the first representative side that Kaleb Smith has made as in 2019 Kaleb Smith was named in the Queensland U12 Primary School Boy Rugby League Representative side.
Kaleb Smith is a smooth strong runner of the ball who seems to glide across the field effortlessly and certainly has an extra gear in relation to the speed he possesses as well as plus speed off the mark. In the centre position, Kaleb Smith has the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside, something that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game.
When he gets the ball early from his inside play makers, Kaleb Smith is incredibly difficult to deal with one on one, as whilst his speed has already been noted, Kaleb Smith is also a strong ball runner who has the power to also break tackles through sheer power and not just rely on his speed to beat his opponent.
The one thing that Kaleb Smith also seems to be able to do well, is to step back inside without the loss of his speed or forward momentum, opposing defenders seem to push out quickly when he has the ball expecting him to look to beat them on their outside, if they come across to far, Kaleb Smith has a very good step back side and if the inside defenders are not quick enough to cover across Kaleb Smith has the speed to make a clean break in those circumstances.
Similarly when an opposing defender looks to come out of the line quickly to put pressure on him, Kaleb Smith’s quick twitch feet means that he can step off either foot quickly to negate the attempt to cut down his time. In short, he is a very talented attacking player who looks to beat his opponent with speed and guile rather than purely by brute strength.
Defensively Kaleb Smith is solid at wrapping the ball up and slides well in defence and Kaleb Smith has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well.
Kaleb Smith will start the 2025 season as a member of the Burleigh Bears U19 MM Cup squad and post the 2025 MM cup Kaleb Smith will either stay on the Gold Coast or return to Murwillumbah and play for the Mustangs in the NRRRL First Grade competition.
Kaleb Smith, with his ability to run the ball and his ball playing ability to be a great link between for forwards and back, looks an ideal modern day rugby league lock forward although Kaleb Smith is also a solid rugby league dummy half prospect.
From an NRL player comparison perspective for Kaleb Smith think along the lines of someone like Souths Sydney Rabbitohs, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International lock Cameron Murray.
Like Murray, Kaleb Smith is developing into a very solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line and when engaged with the defensive line as well as running the ball effectively as well.
Kaleb Smith just looks to be a natural footballer with an innate ability to know where and when to pass the ball as well as having a hard edge in defence. The Titans have a very very good one in Kaleb Smith, a very good one indeed.
