NRL makes call on Smith eligibility as Bennett breaks silence

The NRL will not stand down Brandon Smith as Wayne Bennett breaks his silence over whether the Rabbitohs will stand down the hooker themselves.

On Monday, Smith was issued a police summons from Queensland Police and was charged with one count of supplying drugs and one count of disclosing inside knowledge for betting purposes.

Queensland Police alleged that Smith contacted a drug dealer on the Sunshine Coast in order to supply cocaine to his Roosters teammates on June 7.

According to Fairfax, Smith is also accused of telling an alleged drug dealer about changes to the Rabbitohs starting line-up that may have led to a try-scorer bet being placed on him for his South Sydney debut against Manly on July 6.

The NRL will not stand-down Brandon Smith, the organisation revealed in a statement.

"The NRL is not satisfied that the player has been charged with an offence that triggers the automatic application of the No-Fault Stand Down Condition," an NRL spokesperson said.

“The NRL also does not intend to impose a Stand Down Condition under its discretionary powers.

“As this matter is currently before the Queensland Courts, the NRL will offer no further comment."

Smith’s legal team has confirmed they will contest the charges and South Sydney have also confirmed that Smith will be eligible for selection for the Bunnies’ Round 27 clash against the Sydney Roosters.

When asked if Smith would or should be stood down, Bennett told News Corp: “We could stand him down if we wanted to.

“I don’t know where it stands with the NRL, it’s ultimately their decision whether to stand him down.

“He has been charged, and he has to appear before the courts.

“The NRL has a decision to make because obviously another player (Roosters star Victor Radley) is now involved as well.

“But I’m not standing him down...that’s not going to happen.”

On Tuesday, SEN's Andrew Voss called for Smith to stand himself down.

“They have the bye this weekend and then they play the Roosters,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“Is the player bigger than the club? Do you think Souths should stand firm on this one?

“There isn’t the no fault stand down policy from the league so the NRL don’t have to stand him down.

“We are all footy fans here. Should he sit out the final game in the best interest of the club?

“He’s pleaded not guilty but is he entitled to let the club go about their business for the final game of the season?

“I lean towards yes. I agree with Canterbury’s league mantra which is club first, team second and player third.

“In this instance, the player runs third and should tell his teammates that he’s fighting this charge and that they should concentrate on the game.