LONDON BRONCOS backrower Luke Smith says coffee culture is a key to the team spirit being built at the ambitious capital club.
The 23-year-old Australian left Canterbury Bulldogs for the UK ahead of this season, and is enjoying being part of a multi-national squad before his move back Down Under with NRL newcomers Perth Bears next season.
The Championship leaders’ 78-16 win at Midlands Hurricanes last weekend was their 19th win from as many matches as their faultless league campaign continued.
They have five more matches in the regular season, starting at Widnes this Sunday, and will clearly be the team to topple come the play-offs.
Given the Broncos’ form – they are also through to the 1895 Cup final, also against Widnes, at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31 – that will not be easy.
As well as having a powerful full-time squad, with a strong Papua New Guinean contingent, Smith says there’s a strong sense of unity.
“It’s a good bunch of boys and an awesome club,” said the try hat-trick scorer and Broncos’ man of the match in the recent 62-4 win at Salford.
“I often socialise with the boys over a coffee through the week, and we’ll get together for a coffee before matches to begin our build-up.”
The Broncos are targeting a Super League return next year, and Smith, who played two NRL games for Canterbury last year, continued: “It’s been really good to come in with the club at that building stage.
“We’ve got a really good crew and a really good coaching team (Jason Demetriou is assisted by experienced former Broncos coach Danny Ward) and we’re all learning from them.”
Broncos prop Emarly Bitungane is also joining Perth.