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Former Wallabies and NRL star Brian Smith dies, aged 59
Once described by former Wallabies coach Alan Jones as one of the world’s most gifted players, Smith has passed away after battling an aggressive cancer.
Former Wallabies and NRL star Brian Smith has died at age 59.
A dual rugby union international after playing six Tests for Australia in 1987 and a further nine for Ireland after switching allegiance, Smith also played 43 NRL matches for Balmain and Eastern Suburbs from 1991 to 1994.
A five-eighth and halfback, he had a successful post-playing career as Australia’s Rugby Sevens coach and attack coach with the England Test team.
Once described by former Wallabies coach Alan Jones as one of the world’s most gifted players, Smith also coached leading clubs in Britain and Japan, and was most recently the Head of Sport at Scots College in Sydney.
Former Wallabies and NRL star Brian Smith has died at age 59.
“Brian had been very unwell in recent months and was battling an aggressive cancer,” Scots College principal Dr Ian PM Lambert wrote to school colleagues.
“This is very sad news for our College community and I know it will come as a shock to many of you who knew and worked closely with him.
“Our immediate thoughts are with Brian’s wife Lisa, his daughters Ruby and Santana, and his son Chilli.”
Born in Queensland, Smith represented the Australian Schoolboys rugby side two years before making his debut for the Reds in 1985 against Wellington at Athletic Park.
Brian Smith pictured while coaching director at Scots College. Picture: John Appleyard
Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones (front) with (L-R) Irish player Brendan Mullin, Australian player Brian Smith, ARU vice-chairman Ross Turnbull, Sydney publicist John Fordham and John Brennan.
Smith played 43 NRL matches for Balmain and Eastern Suburbs from 1991 to 1994.
In 1987, he was called up by Jones into the Wallabies side for a Test against South Korea on the eve of the first ever Rugby World Cup, playing five-eighth outside Nick Farr-Jones.
Smith on debut scored a try, kicked five conversions and added a penalty as the Wallabies won 65-18.
Brian Smith pictured with former model Kate Fischer
and pictured during his Easts’ playing days.
He went on to start World Cup games against the USA, Japan and the third-place playoff against Wales and came off the bench in the quarter final win over Ireland.
His last Test for the Wallabies was at halfback against Argentina in Buenos Aires after Farr-Jones was ruled out with injury.
Moving to the UK to study at Oxford University, Smith was also eligible to play for Ireland and made nine appearances in the green jumper from 1989-91 before returning to Australia and joining Balmain rugby league club when Jones took over as coach.
Smith switched codes to play for Balmain and Eastern Suburbs.
After three seasons with the Tigers, Smith had a year with the Roosters.
Mat Collett, former president of the Scots College Old Boys Union and the school’s Rugby Committee, said: “I worked with him a lot over the years. He put his heart and soul into Rugby at the College and the boys loved him.
“A loss to the Rugby and the league community.”
