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Craig Smith (rugby league, born 1971)

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For the former North Sydney and Melbourne player, seeCraig Smith (rugby league, born 1973).

Craig Smith
Personal information
Born(1971-10-31)31 October 1971(age 52)
Kaitaia,New Zealand
Playing information
Height187 cm (6 ft1+1⁄2in)
Weight109 kg (17 st 2 lb)
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995 South Sydney 7 1 0 0 4
1996–98 Illawarra Steelers 49 1 0 0 4
1999–01 St George Illawarra 52 1 0 0 4
2002–04 Wigan Warriors 94 11 0 0 44
2005–06 Newcastle Knights 45 2 0 0 8
Total 247 16 0 0 64
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1997 Queensland 3 0 0 0 0
1997 Rest of the World 1 0 0 0 0
1998–01 New Zealand 12 1 0 0 4
2008 New Zealand Māori 1 0 0 0 0
Source:[1]

Craig Smith(born 31 October 1971[2]) is a New Zealand former professionalrugby leaguefootballer who played as apropin the 1990s and 2000s. He played for theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs,Illawarra Steelers,St. George Illawarra Dragonsand theNewcastle Knightsas well as representingNew Zealand,New Zealand MāoriandQueensland.

Background[edit]

Smith was born inKaitaia,New Zealand[3]and originally was arugby unionplayer in Northland. In 1988, Smith moved toQueenslandto complete his final years of schooling atIpswich Grammar School.[4]He later took uprugby league.[5]

Playing career[edit]

Club career[edit]

South Sydney Rabbitohs[edit]

Smith commenced his top level career with theSouth Sydney Rabbitohsin the1995 ARL season.

Illawarra Steelers[edit]

He then moved to theIllawarra Steelers.

St. George Illawarra Dragons[edit]

Smith played at prop forward for theSt. George Illawarra Dragonsin their1999 NRL Grand Finalloss to theMelbourne Storm.

Wigan Warriors[edit]

Following a series of suspensions in 2001 for contrary conduct and striking, Smith left theNRLand Australia in 2002 to play for theSuper Leagueclub, theWigan Warriors.[6][7]With Wigan, he won the 2002Challenge CupFinal. In 2003 he was named atpropin the season'sSuper League Dream Team.Smith played for theWigan Warriorsatpropin the2003 Super League Grand Final,which was lost to theBradford Bulls.

Newcastle Knights[edit]

In 2005, Smith agreed to a one-year deal and a return to the NRL with theNewcastle Knights.[8]

Although originally intending to retire at the end of the 2005 season, Smith was re-signed by Newcastle for the 2006 season.[9]A broken jaw in August 2006 sidelined him for several rounds but he was fit to return for Newcastle's finals appearances.[10]Smith played his last NRL game in Newcastle's semi-finals defeat by theBrisbane Broncos.[11]

Representative career[edit]

Queensland[edit]

Smith was selected to representQueenslandas a prop for games I and II of the1997 State of Origin seriesand on the bench for game III.

New Zealand[edit]

Smith was selected to go on the1998 New Zealand tour of Great Britainand played for the Kiwis twelve times between 1998 and 2001.

Smith was selected for theNew Zealand teamto compete in the end of season1999 Rugby League Tri-Nationstournament. In the final againstAustraliahe played at prop forward in the Kiwis' 20-22 loss.

New Zealand Maori[edit]

Smith was again coaxed out of retirement to take part in theNew Zealand Māoriteam that met theIndigenous Dreamtimeteam in a commemorative match at the2008 Rugby League World Cup.[12]

Coaching career[edit]

Smith has been on the coaching staff for the under-20s side atNewcastle.[13]

References[edit]

  • Whiticker, Alan; Hudson, Glen (2007).The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players.Wetherill Park, New South Wales:Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 609.ISBN978-1-877082-93-1.

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^"Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org".rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017.Retrieved1 January2018.
  2. ^Ritchie, Dean (6 April 2011)."Not being from Queensland no bar to Cane Toad State of Origin selection".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved6 April2011.
  3. ^Ritchie, Dean (6 April 2011)."Not being from Queensland no bar to Cane Toad State of Origin selection".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved6 April2011.
  4. ^Revealed: Ipswich's 10 Best State of Origin Stars.https://www.thechronicle.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TCWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thechronicle.com.au%2Fnews%2Fqueensland%2Fipswich%2Fsport%2Fipswichs-10-best-state-of-origin-players-revealed%2Fnews-story%2Fbb9bf276b6f66c61dde8b9e673c3a62c&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium
  5. ^Coffey and WoodThe Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby LeagueISBN1-86971-090-8
  6. ^"Dragons to deal directly with judiciary commissioner".AAP Sports News (Australia). 26 April 2001. Archived fromthe original(fee required)on 17 May 2011.Retrieved27 January2008.
  7. ^"Wigan confirm Smith signing".AAP Sports News (Australia). 17 August 2001. Archived fromthe original(fee required)on 17 May 2011.Retrieved27 January2008.
  8. ^"Smith agrees to one-year deal with Newcastle"(fee required).AAP Sports News (Australia). 15 March 2005.Retrieved8 August2009.[dead link]
  9. ^"Knights re-sign Smith and Salkeld"(fee required).AAP Sports News (Australia). 4 August 2005.Retrieved8 August2009.[dead link]
  10. ^"Smith spray as Paea escapes charge".The Sydney Morning Herald.8 August 2006.Retrieved8 August2009.
  11. ^"Brisbane Broncos 50 def. Newcastle Knights 6".The Rugby League Project.Retrieved8 August2009.
  12. ^"Smith coaxed out of retirement"(fee required).AAP Sports News (Australia). 24 October 2008.Retrieved8 August2009.[dead link]
  13. ^"Former Knight Craig Smith ready to pull on boots at 43".Herald. 30 June 2015.Retrieved19 April2017.

External links[edit]

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