Buderus set for last stand against Smith

Monday 22nd February 2010

One of the most fiercest contests in Australian Rugby League is set to have one last chapter written this Sunday when Leeds Rhinos take on Melbourne Storm at Elland Road in the Gillette World Club Challenge.

Danny Buderus and Cameron Smith have been going head to head since the young Storm hooker first took on the then Australian Test hooker back on 5th April 2003. Their battles, firstly between Newcastle and Melbourne, and then in State of Origin with Queensland and New South Wales became legendary as both looked to earn the coveted Kanagroos number nine jersey. For club and State, there have been 26 meetings and now a final chapter will be made thousands of miles away from their homes in West Yorkshire.

Ironically, Buderus final game at home for Newcastle after a decades service to the Knights would have been against Smith's Melbourne Storm side back in 2008 however injury prevented him from playing in a win for the Knights. However, he will get one last chance to take on Smith this Sunday.

Looking ahead to the game, Buderus said, "I would love to play in a big game again, I haven't done it in a while.
It is always intense against Melbourne and they are a team I have a huge amount of respect for. Craig Bellamy is meticulous and he won't give us an edge on Sunday.

"I am looking forward to facing Cameron Smith again. It goes back to our State of Origin days, I am obviously over here playing for Leeds now and I don't think that I will get another game against him down the track so it will be good fun.

"For Melbourne to have featured in the last four NRL Grand Finals is a tremendous effort in the modern day salary cap era. It is so hard to base your salary cap around four or five outstanding players and then continually bring guys in to train around them and then get them up to a Premiership winning team, it is a huge effort and a credit to the Storm organisation," added Buderus.

Both players have been credited with revolutionising the modern hooking role and Buderus holds Smith in the utmost respect.

"Cameron has brought his own set of skills to the game and changed the style of play across the sport. Kicking is now a massive part of the dummy half role because it gives your team another option and gives your half backs more time. That is certainly something we will have to look out for."

In total, Buderus and Smith have met in ten club matches, with the Melbourne man holding a 7 to 3 advantage however in State of Origin games it is closer with Buderus coming out victorious in 7 of their 16 meetings.