Craig Smith (rugby league born 1971)
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| Craig Smith playing for the New Zealand Māori | ||||||
| Personal information | ||||||
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| Born | 31 October 1971 Kaitaia, New Zealand |
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| Height | 187 cm (6 ft 2 in) | |||||
| Weight | 109 kg (17 st 2 lb) | |||||
| Playing information | ||||||
| Position | Prop | |||||
| 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 | 80 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| 2005–06 | Newcastle Knights | 45 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Total | 233 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60 | |
| 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: RLP | ||||||
Craig Smith (born 31 October 1971 in Kaitaia, New Zealand)[1] is a former professional rugby league footballer. He formerly played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Illawarra Steelers, St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights as well as representing New Zealand and Queensland. Smith primarily played at prop.
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[edit] Playing career
Originally a rugby union player in Northland, Smith moved to Queensland for college and took up rugby league.[2]
Following a series of suspensions in 2001 for contrary conduct and striking, Smith left the NRL and Australia in 2002 to play for European Super League club, Wigan Warriors.[3][4]
In 2005, Smith agreed to a one-year deal and a return to the NRL with the Newcastle Knights.[5] Although retiring at the end of the 2005 season, Smith was re-signed by Newcastle for the 2006 season.[6] A broken jaw in August 2006 sidelined him for several rounds but he was fit to return for Newcastle's finals appearances.[7] Smith played his last NRL game in Newcastle's semi-finals defeat by the Brisbane Broncos.[8]
[edit] Representative career
Smith was selected to represent Queensland as a prop for games I and II of the 1997 State of Origin series and on the bench for game III.
Smith played for the New Zealand Kiwis twelve times between 1998 and 2001.
Smith was again coaxed out of retirement to take part in the New Zealand Māori team that met the Indigenous Dreamtime team in a commemorative match at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[9]
[edit] References
- Whiticker, Alan and Hudson, Glen (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. pp. 609. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Ritchie, Dean (6 April 2011). "Not being from Queensland no bar to Cane Toad State of Origin selection". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/maroons-in-a-state-of-denial/story-e6frexnr-1226034271134. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ Coffey and Wood The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League ISBN 1-86971-090-8
- ^ "Dragons to deal directly with judiciary commissioner" (fee required). AAP Sports News (Australia). 26 April 2001. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-43722011.html. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
- ^ "Wigan confirm Smith signing" (fee required). AAP Sports News (Australia). 17 August 2001. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-46323598.html. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ "Smith agrees to one-year deal with Newcastle" (fee required). AAP Sports News (Australia). 15 march 2005. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-106392185.html. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
- ^ "Knights re-sign Smith and Salkeld" (fee required). AAP Sports News (Australia). 4 August 2005. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-111836734.html. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
- ^ "Smith spray as Paea escapes charge". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 August 2006. http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/smith-spray-as-paea-escapes-charge/2006/08/07/1154802820799.html. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
- ^ "Brisbane Broncos 50 def. Newcastle Knights 6". The Rugby League Project. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/NRL_2006/Semi_Final/Brisbane-vs-Newcastle/summary.html. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
- ^ "Smith coaxed out of retirement" (fee required). AAP Sports News (Australia). 24 October 2008. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-157562601.html. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
[edit] External links
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- 1971 births
- Living people
- New Zealand rugby league players
- New Zealand national rugby league team players
- New Zealand Māori rugby league team players
- Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players
- South Sydney Rabbitohs players
- Illawarra Steelers players
- Newcastle Knights captains
- St. George Illawarra Dragons players
- Wigan Warriors players
- Newcastle Knights players
- New Zealand emigrants to Australia
