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Jason Smith (rugby league footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jason Smith is an Australian former professional rugby league
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international five-eighth or lock forward, he played club football in Australia for the Bulldogs (with whom he won the 1995 Premiership), Eels, Raiders and Cowboys, and in England for Hull. At his peak he was regarded as one of the game's greatest players.
as an 18-year-old in 1990. The following year Smith captained the club's President's Cup side to a grand final win over Parramatta
but his development during the 1994 season was nothing short of remarkable.
Mobile, yet incredibly strong, he displayed his talent as a ball-player in Canterbury's back row or at five-eighth and impressed as a resolute defender. His 1994 State of Origin
debut for Queensland ended when he was concussed after a sickening clash of heads with rival forward Ian Roberts. Smith recovered to play in Canterbury's losing grand final side and was rewarded for his season's efforts with selection in Australia's 28-man Kangaroo squad. His form on the 1994 Kangaroo tour
was excellent and although he was the outstanding player in wins over Warrington and Bradford Northern in the week leading up to Third Test selection, he could not break into Australia's Test team.
1995 proved to be a turning point in Smith's career. After having originally signed with the Bulldogs to join Super League
, Smith and three team-mates (Dean Pay
, Jarrod McCracken
and Jim Dymock
) turned their backs on their club and signed with the ARL
. This move consequently ensured Smith a place in Queensland's State of Origin team, with whom he was named man-of-the-match in the second game of that year's series. He also went on to play in all three Tests against New Zealand
. After gaining a release from his Super League contract via the courts, Smith played in the Bulldogs' grand final win against Manly
before coming off the interchange bench in Australia's 16-8 win in the 1995 World Cup
final.
Joining Parramatta along with his defecting team-mates the following year in order to remain with the ARL competition, his representative career continued for Queensland and Australia (vs. Papua New Guinea) but his 1997 season was ruined by injury. At Parramatta, Smith's commitment never wavered despite a succession of injuries. In three successive preliminary finals (1998-00), the Eels faltered at the last hurdle to make the grand final and too often the young club's fortunes rested on his shoulders. In 1998, Smith played in the final two Tests of the Trans-Tasman series, alongside his brother Darren, and was chosen as lock in the first international the following year, Australia's 20-14 win over New Zealand.
In the third State of Origin match in 1999, Smith was cleared of a controversial high tackle on opposing forward Mark Carroll that left the Blues
' prop heavily concussed. (It was later revealed that Carroll's own hand, which he raised in a reflex action to protect himself in Smith's ball and all tackle, had struck him and done much of the damage).
The 1999 season concluded with three Test appearances in Australia's victorious Tri-series win against New Zealand and Great Britain. 2000 saw Smith make his final appearance for Australia, in the 52-0 thrashing of NZ in the ANZAC Test
. That year he was also awarded the Australian Sports Medal
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.
Declining to take on the Parramatta captaincy in his final year with the club, his career wound down after injuries and suspension saw him miss much of the second half of the season. Smith left the Eels at the end of the year to play for Hull in the European Super League
, captaining the side from 2002 to 2004. 2005 saw him back in Australia playing with Canberra
. He also turned down a request to make a State of Origin comeback for Queensland.
2007 saw a move North for Smith to the North Queensland Cowboys
, becoming the oldest player to compete in the 2007 NRL season at age 35 years and 186 days. On 6 June, midway through the season, he announced that would retire at the end of the season. He final game was on 15 September in the Cowboys semi final victory over the New Zealand Warriors
. A leg injury saw him sit out the preliminary final loss to Manly
.
Brisbane newspaper The Courier-Mail
confirmed on 31 August 2007 that Smith will take up the position of assistant coach of the Souths Logan Magpies in the 2008 Queensland Cup
. This will put him in direct opposition with brother Darren, who will be head coach of rival side, Easts Tigers
. Smith played in the State of Origin greats game in 2011 to raise money for the Queensland flood victims. He currently lives in Toowoomba and will play for Toowoomba Brothers in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition in 2011.
1990 - 1995
Parramatta Eels
1996 - 2000
Canberra Raiders
2004 - 2006
North Queensland Cowboys
2007
2011 - Brothers Leprechauns
Career Stats
1990–Present
2001 - 2004
1994 - 2000
Australia
1995 - 2000
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international five-eighth or lock forward, he played club football in Australia for the Bulldogs (with whom he won the 1995 Premiership), Eels, Raiders and Cowboys, and in England for Hull. At his peak he was regarded as one of the game's greatest players.
Career
Former Brisbane Souths five-eighth/lock and the younger brother of Darren Smith, Jason signed with the Canterbury BulldogsCanterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
as an 18-year-old in 1990. The following year Smith captained the club's President's Cup side to a grand final win over Parramatta
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
but his development during the 1994 season was nothing short of remarkable.
Mobile, yet incredibly strong, he displayed his talent as a ball-player in Canterbury's back row or at five-eighth and impressed as a resolute defender. His 1994 State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
debut for Queensland ended when he was concussed after a sickening clash of heads with rival forward Ian Roberts. Smith recovered to play in Canterbury's losing grand final side and was rewarded for his season's efforts with selection in Australia's 28-man Kangaroo squad. His form on the 1994 Kangaroo tour
1994 Kangaroo Tour
The 1994 Kangaroo Tour was the last played in the conventional format, where the Australian side plays a number of matches against British and French clubs or provincial outfits, in additions to the Test matches...
was excellent and although he was the outstanding player in wins over Warrington and Bradford Northern in the week leading up to Third Test selection, he could not break into Australia's Test team.
1995 proved to be a turning point in Smith's career. After having originally signed with the Bulldogs to join Super League
Super League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
, Smith and three team-mates (Dean Pay
Dean Pay
Dean Pay is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels, New South Wales and for the Australian national side....
, Jarrod McCracken
Jarrod McCracken
Jarrod McCracken is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1990s. He is a former captain of the New Zealand national rugby league team and is the son of New Zealand rugby league international, Ken McCracken...
and Jim Dymock
Jim Dymock
Jim Dymock is an Australian former professional rugby league international of Tongan heritage who played for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Canterbury Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels and London Broncos...
) turned their backs on their club and signed with the ARL
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
. This move consequently ensured Smith a place in Queensland's State of Origin team, with whom he was named man-of-the-match in the second game of that year's series. He also went on to play in all three Tests against New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. After gaining a release from his Super League contract via the courts, Smith played in the Bulldogs' grand final win against Manly
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
before coming off the interchange bench in Australia's 16-8 win in the 1995 World Cup
1995 Rugby League World Cup
The 1995 Rugby League World Cup was held during October in the United Kingdom. It was the eleventh staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was marketed as the Halifax Centenary World Cup, reflecting the tournament's sponsorship and the fact that 1995 marked the 100th birthday of the sport...
final.
Joining Parramatta along with his defecting team-mates the following year in order to remain with the ARL competition, his representative career continued for Queensland and Australia (vs. Papua New Guinea) but his 1997 season was ruined by injury. At Parramatta, Smith's commitment never wavered despite a succession of injuries. In three successive preliminary finals (1998-00), the Eels faltered at the last hurdle to make the grand final and too often the young club's fortunes rested on his shoulders. In 1998, Smith played in the final two Tests of the Trans-Tasman series, alongside his brother Darren, and was chosen as lock in the first international the following year, Australia's 20-14 win over New Zealand.
In the third State of Origin match in 1999, Smith was cleared of a controversial high tackle on opposing forward Mark Carroll that left the Blues
New South Wales Blues
The New South Wales cricket team are an Australian first class cricket team based in Sydney, New South Wales...
' prop heavily concussed. (It was later revealed that Carroll's own hand, which he raised in a reflex action to protect himself in Smith's ball and all tackle, had struck him and done much of the damage).
The 1999 season concluded with three Test appearances in Australia's victorious Tri-series win against New Zealand and Great Britain. 2000 saw Smith make his final appearance for Australia, in the 52-0 thrashing of NZ in the ANZAC Test
ANZAC Test
The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match . The test match is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.-Origins:Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908...
. That year he was also awarded the Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.
Declining to take on the Parramatta captaincy in his final year with the club, his career wound down after injuries and suspension saw him miss much of the second half of the season. Smith left the Eels at the end of the year to play for Hull in the European Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
, captaining the side from 2002 to 2004. 2005 saw him back in Australia playing with Canberra
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
. He also turned down a request to make a State of Origin comeback for Queensland.
2007 saw a move North for Smith to the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
, becoming the oldest player to compete in the 2007 NRL season at age 35 years and 186 days. On 6 June, midway through the season, he announced that would retire at the end of the season. He final game was on 15 September in the Cowboys semi final victory over the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
. A leg injury saw him sit out the preliminary final loss to Manly
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
.
Brisbane newspaper The Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail is a daily newspaper published in Brisbane, Australia. Owned by News Limited, it is published daily from Monday to Saturday in tabloid format. Its editorial offices are located at Bowen Hills, in Brisbane's inner northern suburbs, and it is printed at Murarrie, in Brisbane's...
confirmed on 31 August 2007 that Smith will take up the position of assistant coach of the Souths Logan Magpies in the 2008 Queensland Cup
Queensland Cup
The Queensland Cup is the premier rugby league football competition in the State of Queensland, Australia.It is a statewide competition with the majority of teams based in South East Queensland but also including sides based in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.The competition began in 1996 as a...
. This will put him in direct opposition with brother Darren, who will be head coach of rival side, Easts Tigers
Easts Tigers
The Eastern Suburbs Tigers are a rugby league club based at Langlands Park, which is in the suburb of Coorparoo in Brisbane, Australia. They competed in the Brisbane Rugby League from 1934 to 1996. From 1996 they have competed in the Queensland Cup. Their jersey is traditionally an all gold jersey...
. Smith played in the State of Origin greats game in 2011 to raise money for the Queensland flood victims. He currently lives in Toowoomba and will play for Toowoomba Brothers in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition in 2011.
Club Football
Canterbury Bulldogs1990 - 1995
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 4 | 1 | - | 18 |
Parramatta Eels
1996 - 2000
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | 24 | - | 4 | 100 |
Canberra Raiders
2004 - 2006
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 9 | - | 1 | 37 |
North Queensland Cowboys
2007
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 4 | - | - | 16 |
2011 - Brothers Leprechauns
Career Stats
1990–Present
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 211 | 41 | 1 | 5 | 171 |
Super League
Hull2001 - 2004
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 69 |
Representative Football
Queensland1994 - 2000
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 1 | - | 1 | 5 |
Australia
1995 - 2000
| Matches | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | ? | ? | ? | 12 |