John Smith (rugby league)

John David Smith is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1975 and 1977 World Cups.

John Smith
Personal information
Full nameJohn David Smith
BornNew Zealand
Playing information
PositionCentre, Stand-off, Halfback
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1975–80 Auckland
1975 New Zealand Māori
1975–79 New Zealand 12 3 0 0 9
Source: [1]

Playing career

In 1973 Smith was selected for an Auckland under-23 tour of Australia. The side won one and lost two matches and included future stars Dane O'Hara, John Wright and Stan Martin.[2]

In 1975 Smith was selected for the New Zealand Māori squad and competed in the 1975 Pacific Cup.[3] Smith also played for Auckland that season before being selected in the New Zealand national rugby league team for the 1975 World Cup. During the 1977 season Smith played in that year's World Cup and was also part of the Auckland side that completed a "grand slam" by defeating France, Australia and Great Britain in the space of 21 days.[2] At the end of the year he won the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year award.[4] His final test matches were against Great Britain in 1979, he ended his career having played in twelve test matches and scored three tries.[5]

Smith was part of the Auckland side that lost to Australia in 1980.[2]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
  3. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. pp. 191–193. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2. ISBN 1-86969-331-0.
  4. Sky Rugby League Annual '98 New Zealand Rugby League, 1998
  5. SMITH, John David - 1975, 1977 - 79 nzleague.co.nz
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