Brandon Smith (rugby league)
A dynamic, fearless hooker whose aggressive play and unfiltered personality make him one of rugby league's most compelling and polarizing figures.
Born 1996 (age 30)·NZ & Maori international rugby league footballer·Birthday: May 31·Millennials
Biography
Brandon Smith plays rugby league with the subtlety of a tornado. The New Zealand hooker, nicknamed 'The Cheese,' is a force of nature in the middle of the park, a compact bundle of relentless energy, brutal tackling, and deceptive skill. His career has been a trajectory of raw talent sharpened into elite weaponry, from his early days with the Melbourne Storm—where he learned discipline within a famed system—to his high-profile move to the Sydney Roosters. Smith’s impact is measured in more than tackles and darting runs; it's in the palpable shift in intensity he brings whenever he enters the fray. Off the field, his candid, humorous media persona has made him a fan favorite, though it has occasionally sparked controversy. He embodies the modern rugby league player: fiercely competitive, media-savvy, and utterly uncompromising when the whistle blows, representing both New Zealand and Māori with formidable pride.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Brandon was born in 1996, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brandon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Brandon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Could drive
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the NRL Premiership with the Melbourne Storm in 2020.
- Awarded the Cameron Smith Player of the Year award by the Melbourne Storm in 2021.
- Represented the New Zealand national team (the Kiwis) in multiple international series and tournaments.
- Earned selection for the New Zealand Māori rugby league team, honoring his indigenous heritage.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Cheese' originated from a childhood mispronunciation of his first name, 'Bran-don,' which sounded like 'Branded Cheese.'
He is known for his distinctive, bushy beard, which has become a recognizable part of his on-field identity.
Before his NRL debut, he played for the Melbourne Storm's feeder team, the Sunshine Coast Falcons, in the Queensland Cup.
He publicly expressed a desire to play as a lock forward earlier in his career, seeking a more expansive role on the field.
“I play like a front-rower in a hooker's jersey—it's about making a mess in the middle.”
