David Smith (rugby union, born 1986)

For other people named David Smith (disambiguation), see David Smith (disambiguation) (disambiguation).

For the Northampton rugby union footballer currently with the Northampton Saints, see David Smith (Northampton rugby union).

David Smith

Birth name	David Smith
Date of birth	(1986-10-12) October 12, 1986
Place of birth	Manase, Samoa
Height	172 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	91 kg (14 st 5 lb)
School	Mount Albert Grammar School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Current team Castres Olympique Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2011– Toulon 99 (190) Correct as of 30 January 2015 Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 2006–08 2009 2010 Auckland Wellington Taranaki 33 11 12 (65) (15) (25) Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2007, 2009–10 2008 2011 Hurricanes Blues Western Force 34 7 15 (60) (10) (25) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2010 Barbarians 2 (5)

David Smith (born 12 October 1986 in Samoa) is a Samoan rugby union player who plays with Toulon in the French Top 14. He previously played for the Hurricanes, Blues and Western Force in Super Rugby.

Early life and career

Smith grew up in the village of Manase. Smith was spotted whilst on a rugby tour to New Zealand and was subsequently offered a scholarship to attend Auckland's Mount Albert Grammar School. His mentor and coach was former Auckland RFU and All Blacks player Bryan Williams, with whom he trained before being brought into the wider Auckland training squad in 2005. After a year playing for Auckland B and the Auckland Sevens team, Smith, under the tutelage of coach Pat Lam, and with the guidance and help of fellow Samoan player Brad Mika, was selected in the 2006 Auckland Air New Zealand Cup squad. Smith was touted by journalists as 'The Next Great Thing in Waiting' in August 2006, which was his debut season. He later played in the ITM Cup for Wellington and Taranaki.

Super Rugby career

In late 2006 when he was named as one of the Hurricanes draft picks for the 2007 Super 14 season. This selection by Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper forced incumbent winger Roy Kinikinilau out of the team, who was subsequently drafted by the Highlanders. Expected to start as a back-up wing for the Hurricanes, Smith was part of the starting line-up the first game of the season against the Queensland Reds, relegating Samoan international Lome Fa'atau to the bench for much of the season. By the season's end, David Smith had accumulated 12 caps as well as scoring his first try against the Vodacom Stormers of South Africa.

He was signed by the Blues in 2008, before returning to the Hurricanes in 2009. In November 2010, it was announced that the Western Force had signed Smith for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Top 14 Career

Following that season, he moved to France, signing for RC Toulonnais.

Before the 2015-2016 he transferred to Castres Olympique

External links

• [1]
• Toulon profile
• Hurricanes Profile