David Smith (rugby footballer)

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David Smith (born December 10, 1985) was born in Samoa and grew up in the village of Manase, in a family with German origins. Smith was spotted whilst on a rugby tour to New Zealand and was subsequently offered a scholarship to attend Auckland's Mt. Albert Grammar School. His mentor and coach was the legendary All Black 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 Bradley Mika, was selected in the 2006 Auckland NPC squad. In a debut season including 6 tries, exhibiting explosive speed and power as well as an ability to place well weighted kicks ahead for himself, Smith was touted by journalists as 'The Next Great Thing in Waiting' in August 2006.

His efforts were further rewarded in late 2006 when he was named as one of the Wellington Hurricanes draft picks for the 2007 Rebel Sport Super 14 (Auckland are currently over-represented in the wing department, with players such as Josevata Rokocoko, Doug Howlett, Rudi Wulf and Anothony Tuitavake all comfortable playing there, making it very difficult for new talent such as David Smith to break into the ranks). This selection is illustration of the respect that Colin Cooper (Hurricanes coach) has for the young Smith, as by including him in his squad, Hurricanes incumbent Roy Kinikinilau was forced out, to be subsequently drafted by the Otago Highlanders franchise. Expected by all to be no more than a back up wing for the Hurricanes, many people were shocked to find Smith starting the first game of the season against the Queensland Reds, forcing Samoan international and Wellington crowd favourite Lome Fa'atau onto the bench for much of the season. By seasons end, David Smith had accumulated 12 Super Rugby caps as well as scoring his first try against the Vodacom Stormers of South Africa.

Whether or not Smith will rise to the top of New Zealand rugby scenes is yet to be seen, but he certainly hasn't done his chances any harm by putting in some attention grabbing performances in the past 12 months. All Black honours may be bestowed upon this young man in the not to distant future.