Intriguing journey for Southland Stags first five-eighth contender
Byron Smith eyes a big month as he pushes for the Southland Stags No 10 jersey in the 2024 NPC.
Byron Smith is aware the next month or so is important for him.
Smith is contracted to the Stags and has his sights on the Southland No 10 jersey.
But before the NPC season rolls around, there is the not so small matter of club rugby to sort out. He will line up for Star in Saturday’s semifinal against Woodlands, with the hope to progress to the Galbraith Shield final seven days later.
“It will be good to play a semifinal, and hopefully a final, because we’ll be playing under high pressure and that’s when you find out what type of player you are, I guess,” Smith told The Tribune.
Smith’s road to Southland has been an intriguing one.
His English father met his Kiwi mother in Taranaki when his dad spent a couple of seasons playing club rugby in Taranaki many years ago.
Although Smith himself was born and bred in Australia. He progressed through the Queensland under-16 and under-18 rugby ranks while attending Nudgee College in Brisbane.
When he departed school in 2021 there wasn’t a spot in the Queensland Reds setup for him. The Brumbies showed some interest in Smith before opting for another youngster.
Then came a call from Auckland, New Zealand. There was a spot for Smith in their provincial academy.
He went on to play for the New Zealand U19 in 2022, helped the Blues win the U20 Super Rugby competition in 2023, and was also named the Blues development player of the year.
There was a slight problem for Smith though, he had the likes of Harry Plummer and Zarn Sullivan ahead of him in the pecking order in Auckland.
It was a trip to Oamaru late last year which led him to Southland.
“I was finishing up with Auckland at the end of last year and I actually had a Barbarians game [against the Heartland XV] in Oamaru.
“I met with Matt Saunders up there and he explained where the Stags were at and sent a contract through a few weeks later and I signed it.
“I had a couple of conversations with different provinces but a lot of them were saying development or second string, third string type stuff. Where the Stags said there was a real opportunity to come and play straight away, so that is what lured me down.”
While there is that genuine opportunity to get some decent game time at the NPC level with Southland, Smith was quick to acknowledge he has got some work to do in the coming weeks, both in club rugby and in the Stags preseason, to state his case.
“There is obviously Kaea Nikora-Balloch there, he is a gun. He is about the same age as me.”
It appears Southland will also sign another first five-eighth, who has more experience, to link with those young first five-eighths.
Southland had Dan Hollinshead signed but he suffered a season-ending knee injury playing in the Major League Rugby competition in the United States.
Smith’s introduction to Southland rugby this year was a delayed one. He arrived in February to link with his new Star club.
However, it was discovered Smith had a hip problem that needed rest. He will require surgery on it after the NPC season.
Smith made his first appearance in Southland’s premier club season in round nine at King’s Birthday weekend.
He’s enjoyed slotting into a Star team which has largely been going forward.
“We’ve got the likes of Semisi [Tupou Taeiloa], Jordie Stewart, and the [Henderson brothers], it’s a strong pack. So, once they get going forward it is easy to do my job, and then we’ve got some pretty quick outside backs with the likes of Hughan Sharp.”
Like many frontline Southland rugby players Smith has mixed his rugby training commitments with working at the Ruru School in Invercargill.
For over a decade Ruru School - a school for pupils with special needs - has employed Southland rugby players as teacher aides.
Ruru had struggled to attract male teacher aides, while the work hours suited the players as the mix in their training commitments.
“I’m working in the same class with Semisi and I’m actually really enjoying it, it’s my favorite job that I’ve worked. It can be real rewarding if you put some time into the kids,” Smith said.
The Stags squad will assemble on July 15 after the Galbraith Shield final.
Southland will have two preseason fixtures before the round one NPC game against Otago on August 10.
The first preseason game will be against Otago in Gore on July 26.
The second preseason outing will be against Tasman in Christchurch.
Great read Logan. Heathy