Peter Smith (rugby union)

Peter Smith (1 August 1924 – 26 January 1954) was a New Zealand rugby union player. He was a member of the 1947 All Blacks team that toured Australia, but did not appear in any Test matches. He played second five-eighth.

Peter Smith
Smith in 1949
Date of birth(1924-08-01)1 August 1924
Place of birthKaikohe, New Zealand
Date of death26 January 1954(1954-01-26) (aged 29)
Place of deathOpononi, New Zealand
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight76 kg (168 lb)
SchoolKaikohe District High School
Notable relative(s)Johnny Smith (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Second five-eighth
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Kaikohe ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1946–51 North Auckland 18 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1946–51
1947
New Zealand Māori
New Zealand
19
0

(0)

Personal life

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Smith was born in Kaikohe and attended Kaikohe Primary and then Kaikohe District High School.[1][2] He was one of three children. His father Leslie was a baker who had served in World War I and played rugby for both South Auckland and North Island Country. His mother, Niria Takiwira, belonged to the hapū Te Uri-o-Hua of Ngāpuhi.[3]

His brother Johnny was also an All Black. Peter died in 1954, aged 29.[4]

Representative career

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Smith played for North Auckland (now Northland) in 1946, 1947, 1950 and 1951. Affiliating to the Ngāpuhi iwi, Smith played for New Zealand Māori in 1946 and from 1949 to 1951, as well as appearing for a New Zealand Māori XV in 1945. He played for Tai Tokerau from 1946 to 1948 and in 1950.[1]

All Black tour

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Smith's single All Blacks tour was to Australia in 1947. He played three tour matches, but no tests. Against Combined Northern he scored four tries (12 points), his entire haul as an All Black.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Palenski, Ron (2014). The All Blackography: The indispensable guide to every All Black. Auckland, New Zealand: Upstart Press. p. 467. ISBN 978-1-927262-16-0.
  2. ^ Chester, Rod; McMillan, Neville; Palenski, Ron (1987). The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby. Auckland, New Zealand: Moa Publications. p. 151. ISBN 0-908570-16-3.
  3. ^ Frew, Garry. "Smith, John Burns". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  4. ^ Knight, Lindsay. "Peter Smith". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 26 January 2016.