Wayne Smith is seen above during the game at Twickenham against England.
Career Record: Played 17: Won 11, Drew 2, Lost 4
Test Points: 6
Drop Goals: 2.
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1980 v Australia (Sydney) L 13-9
1982 v Australia (Christchurch) W 23-16
1982 v Australia (Wellington) L 19-16
1982 v Australia (Auckland) W 33-18
1983 v British Lions (Wellington) W 9-0
1983 v British Lions (Dunedin) W 15-8
1983 v Scotland (Murrayfield) D 25-25
1983 v England (Twickenham) L 15-9
1984 v France (Christchurch) W 10-9
1984 v France (Auckland) W 31-18
1984 v Australia (Sydney) L 16-9
1984 v Australia (Brisbane) W 19-15
1984 v Australia (Sydney) W 25-24
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1985 v England (Christchurch) W 18-13
1985 v England (Wellington) W 42-15
1985 v Australia (Auckland) W 10-9
1985 v Argentina (Buenos Aires) D 21-21
After making his debut against Australia in
June 1980 Wayne disappeared from the
International scene for two years, missing
eleven matches. He then returned in the 23-16
victory over Australia in August 1982 and
went on to play in fifteen of the next
nineteen games for his country.
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Wayne Smith pictured in action for the All Blacks on Saturday 1st. October 1983
by George Herringshaw. ©
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Wayne Smith played fly-half for New Zealand in a 17 cap career that stretched from 1980 to 1985. The Canterbury man made his International debut in the first test of the 1980 Bledisloe Cup series, a match that saw Australia triumphant and eventually go on to win their first series against the New Zealanders on home soil since 1929. Smith disappeared from the New Zealand side for two years following that game and it was not until August 1982 that he won his second cap. Australia were again the opposition but this time Wayne was on the winning side as New Zealand enjoyed a 23-16 success.
In 1983 he lined up against the British Lions in the second and third tests, but missed out on the spectacular try fest in the final match through injury. Though Wayne had a relatively long career in a black shirt, he did not score many points due to Alan Hewson's monopoly of the kicking duties. Thus, the only times he troubled the scorers were with a couple of drop goals, one of which was scored against Australia in the third test of 1982, a game that saw Hewson break the world individual points record. His international career ended after the 1985 tour to Argentina during which he shared the first five eighth spot with the up and coming Grant Fox. In contrast to Smith, Fox was a points scoring machine who would go on to smash the New Zealand record with a mighty 645. When his playing days were over Wayne turned his hand to management and landed the top job at his old side Canterbury.
He would eventually join John Hart's team of specialist coaches when the Auckland man became national supremo, his responsibility being to look after the backs. Smith then took over the running of the side when Hart resigned after the 1999 World Cup. After two seasons at the helm he was replaced by John Mitchell, and moved to England to coach Northampton. (Jon Collins)
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