Lee Smith (rugby)
{{short description|England RL international and dual-code rugby footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Lee Smith
|fullname =
|image = Lee Smith Bradford.jpg
|imagesize =
|caption =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|8|8}}
|birth_place = Morley, West Yorkshire, England
|death_date =
|height = {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|WG|FB|CE}}
|club1 = Leeds Rhinos
|year1start = 2005
|year1end = 09
|appearances1 = 102
|tries1 = 51
|goals1 = 22
|fieldgoals1 = 1
|points1 = 249
|club2 = Leeds Rhinos
|year2start = 2010
|year2end = 12
|appearances2 = 54
|tries2 = 17
|goals2 = 12
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 92
|club3 = {{nowrap|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats}}
|year3start = 2012
|year3end = 13
|appearances3 = 35
|tries3 = 17
|goals3 = 64
|fieldgoals3 = 2
|points3 = 198
|club4 = {{nowrap|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats}}
|year4start = 2015
|year4end =
|appearances4 = 6
|tries4 = 6
|goals4 = 15
|fieldgoals4 = 1
|points4 = 55
|club5 = Leigh Centurions
|year5start = 2016
|year5end =
|appearances5 = 23
|tries5 = 12
|goals5 = 36
|fieldgoals5 = 0
|points5 = 120
|club6 = Bradford Bulls
|year6start = 2017
|year6end = 18
|appearances6 = 22
|tries6 = 8
|goals6 = 5
|fieldgoals6 = 0
|points6 = 42
|teamA = England
|yearAstart = 2006
|yearAend = 09
|appearancesA = 8
|triesA = 7
|goalsA = 1
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 30
|ru_position = Outside centre, Fullback, Wing
|ru_club1 = London Wasps
|ru_year1start = 2009
|ru_year1end = 10
|ru_appearances1 = 2
|ru_tries1 = 0
|ru_goals1 = 0
|ru_fieldgoals1 = 0
|ru_points1 = 0
|ru_club2 = Newcastle Falcons
|ru_year2start = 2014
|ru_year2end = 15
|ru_appearances2 = 10
|ru_tries2 = 4
|ru_goals2 = 3
|ru_fieldgoals2 = 0
|ru_points2 = 28
|ru_club3 = Yorkshire Carnegie
|ru_year3start = 2019
|ru_year3end = 20
|ru_appearances3 =
|ru_tries3 =
|ru_goals3 =
|ru_fieldgoals3 =
|ru_points3 =
|source = {{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Lee-Smith/|title=Profile at loverugbyleague.com|publisher=loverugbyleague.com|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/lee-smith/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Smith&submit=Go&c=England|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208064255/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Smith&submit=Go&c=England|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2018|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}
|updated = 9 September 2018
}}
Lee Smith (born 8 August 1986) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a goal-kicking {{rlp|ce|wg}} or {{rlp|fb}} for the Leeds Rhinos in Super League.
He has previously played rugby union with the London Wasps and the Newcastle Falcons,{{cite web |url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps30814.ink?newstype=P |title=Wasps sign league star Smith |publisher=London Wasps official website |date=22 June 2008 |access-date=24 June 2008 |archive-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928035844/http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps30814.ink?newstype=P |url-status=dead }} and played rugby league for the Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Super League.
Early life
Smith attended Bruntcliffe High School in Morley, Leeds. He played amateur rugby league for Drighlington before joining Leeds Rhinos academy as a teenager.{{cite web |title=Lee Smith, Leeds Rhinos |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/feb/21/rugbyleague.sport |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=21 February 2006}} He was named Senior Academy Player of the Year in 2003, with the team winning their Grand Final.
Smith represented England at U17 and U18 level.
Rugby League
=Leeds Rhinos=
Smith broke into the Leeds first team in 2005 but still captained the Senior Academy team to Grand Final success in 2006 against Hull. Smith made his début for the Leeds Rhinos first team on 28 March 2005 against Wakefield Trinity. He went on to make 10 appearances in his first season, scoring an impressive 8 tries.
Smith further established himself as a first team player in 2006, making 21 appearances and scoring 9 tries.
In 2007 Smith made 21 appearances and scored 8 tries. Most notably the Leeds fourth of five tries in the 33-6 Grand Final victory over St Helens.{{cite news|department=BBC Sport |access-date=10 February 2014 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7041479.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014024644/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7041479.stm |archive-date=14 October 2007 |url-status=live |title=2007 Grand Final }}
He played in 2008 World Club Challenge on 29 February at Elland Road in which Leeds beat Melbourne Storm 11–4.
The 2008 season was arguably Smith's best to date, making 25 appearances and scoring a joint career best 13 tries. Leeds again defeated St Helens to win the Grand Final, 24–16. Smith had to deputise at full-back after Brent Webb was ruled out after suffering a recurrence of a back injury sustained earlier in the season. Smith scored Leeds' opening try, making it the second year in a row he had scored in the Grand Final. He was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy (Man of the Match).{{cite news|title=2008 Grand Final |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm |department=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2008 |access-date=5 October 2008 |archive-date=30 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330213449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm |url-status=live }}
In 2009 Smith switched from his usual wing position to centre. This did not affect his try scoring record though as he again scored 13 tries, but in just 24 appearances. On 23 June 2009 Smith signed a two-year contract to join Rugby Union side the London Wasps after the Super League season had ended.{{cite news|newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jun/23/lee-smith-leeds-rhinos-wasps |title=Lee Smith agrees cross-code switch from Leeds to Wasps |date=23 June 2008 |access-date=24 June 2008 |archive-date=26 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626070513/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/23/lee-smith-leeds-rhinos-wasps }}
Leeds won the Grand Final for a record third season in a row & Smith marked, what should have been, his final game for the club with 2 tries in the 18–10 victory over St Helens at Old Trafford. This meant Smith had scored in three consecutive Grand Finals.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Rugby-League-Super-League-Leeds-Rhinos-St-Helens-Old-Trafford-Grand-Final/Article/200910215403491|title=Rhinos Take Super League Title|date=2009-10-11|publisher=Sky News|access-date=22 November 2019}}{{cite news|last=Burke|first=David|title=Smith's Crisp|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2009/10/11/smith-s-crisp-115875-21738035|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=The Daily Mirror|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=AFP|title=Leeds makes it Super League hat-trick|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-10-11/leeds-makes-it-super-league-hat-trick/1098564|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=ABC News|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=AAP|author-link=Australian Associated Press|title=Leeds claim third successive Grand Final|url=http://www.nrl.com/NewsViews/LatestNews/NewsArticle/tabid/10874/newsId/57077/Default.aspx|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=nrl|date=11 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003225647/http://www.nrl.com/NewsViews/LatestNews/NewsArticle/tabid/10874/newsId/57077/Default.aspx|archive-date=3 October 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Linfoot|first=Ben|title=Grand Final: Leeds Rhinos 18 St Helens 10|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_commentary/0,19936,11070_3204177,00.html|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=Sky Sports|date=10 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=|title=Potter refuses to blame video ref|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/2009/10/12/potter-refuses-to-blame-video-ref-100252-24906251|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|date=12 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|title=St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/8290503.stm|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Third time unlucky as Saints fail to halt Rhinos' charge to title|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/2009/10/12/third-time-unlucky-as-saints-fail-to-halt-rhinos-charge-to-title-92534-24906166|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=Liverpool Daily Post|date=12 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Sinfield hails winning culture|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/latest/2009/10/11/sinfield-hails-winning-culture-115875-21738669|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=The Daily Mirror|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=Stewart|first=Rob|title=Lee Smith targets place in England rugby union team after Grand Final victory|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/6299292/Lee-Smith-targets-place-in-England-rugby-union-team-after-Grand-Final-victory.html|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=12 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Sinfield hails historic title win|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/leeds/8301354.stm|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Leeds Rhinos fans in homecoming welcome|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/video_leeds_rhinos_fans_in_homecoming_welcome_1_2230845|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=12 October 2009}}
=Return to Leeds=
Smith was given the number 28 jersey. Smith effectively made his second début for Leeds on 1 April 2010 against Bradford, scoring 2 tries in a 20–20 draw.{{cite news|date=31 March 2010 |access-date=29 October 2013 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/7542345/Leeds-Rhinos-star-Lee-Smith-insists-he-is-not-a-rugby-union-flop.html |title=Leeds Rhinos star Lee Smith insists he is not a rugby union flop |newspaper=The Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217072622/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/7542345/Leeds-Rhinos-star-Lee-Smith-insists-he-is-not-a-rugby-union-flop.html |archive-date=17 December 2013 |url-status=live }}
He played in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8938067.stm|title=Leeds 6–30 Warrington|publisher=BBC|date=28 August 2010|access-date=22 November 2019|first=Ged|last=Scott}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/aug/28/leeds-rhinos-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-final |location=London |work=The Guardian |title=Chris Hicks hat-trick leads Warrington to Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds |first=Andy |last=Wilson |date=28 August 2010 |access-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831105934/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/28/leeds-rhinos-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-final |archive-date=31 August 2010 |url-status=live}}
Smith went on to make a further 22 appearances in 2010, scoring a further 8 tries.
In 2011 he visited and participated in the Wheelchair rugby league at Morley Leisure Centre.{{cite news|url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/22922/smith-tags-along-to-wheelchair |title=Smith tags along to Wheelchair Rugby League Session |publisher=Rugby Football League |date=15 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103182617/http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/22922/smith-tags-along-to-wheelchair |archive-date= 3 November 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2013 }}
During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Smith's game time was limited due to injury and the emergence of a number of young outside backs at Leeds.
=Wakefield Trinity Wildcats=
As a result of limited gametime at Leeds he was allowed to join the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats mid-season in 2012 of which coach Richard Agar was very pleased.{{cite news|url=https://loverugbyleague.com/news_9691-wakefield-wildcats-make-lee-smith-switch-permanent.html |title=Wakefield Wildcats make Lee Smith switch permanent |date=20 July 2012 |access-date=29 October 2013 |archive-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117151813/https://loverugbyleague.com/news_9691-wakefield-wildcats-make-lee-smith-switch-permanent.html |url-status=live }}
=Return to Wakefield=
Smith returned to rugby league with Wakefield at the end of the 2015 Super League season, and played a key role in the club retaining their Super League status. Despite this, he once again left the club at the end of the 2015 season.
=Hull FC=
Smith earned himself a trial at Super League club Hull F.C. after impressing coach Lee Radford while training with the club.[http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_20248-lee-smith-on-trial-at-hull-fc.html Lee Smith on trial at Hull FC], Love Rugby League, 1 December 2015
=Leigh Centurions=
Smith played for the Leigh Centurions during the 2016 season.
=Bradford Bulls=
Smith moved to the Bradford Bulls from the 2017 season. After a mixed 2017 he was named club captain under new coach John Kear for the 2018 season.
=International=
He was selected in 2006, along with six of his Leeds teammates, to represent England in the Federation Shield tournament. He scored a try in the opening match against France & then scored a last minute try in England's second game against Tonga. He also came off the bench in the third game against Samoa. He then played in the final as England completed their unbeaten tournament with a 32–14 win, again over Tonga.{{cite news|department=BBC Sport |access-date=13 November 2012 |date=12 November 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/international_and_australian/6130068.stm |title=England 32-14 Tonga |url-status=live |archive-date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113005446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/international_and_australian/6130068.stm }}
Smith was selected for the England squad to compete in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament in Australia.{{cite news|title=Purdham earns World Cup call-up |department=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm |date=7 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009081658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm |archive-date= 9 October 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=7 October 2008 }} Group A's opening match against Papua New Guinea he played on the wing and scored three tries in England's victory. He then only made one further appearance as England endured a disappointing tournament, crashing out in the semi-finals without winning another match.
Smith was selected for England again in 2009, for the Four Nations tournament. He scored a try in the victory over France and in the defeat by Australia but then missed out as England went on to lose in the final against Australia.
Rugby Union
=London Wasps=
Smith made just one appearance for the London Wasps, in a 9–3 victory against the Newcastle Falcons in the LV Cup on 7 February 2010, before his contract was mutually terminated. It is understood that Smith missing his home, family & friends were the reason behind the termination.{{citation needed|date=November 2010}} After what was one of the shortest code switches in history,{{citation needed|date=November 2010}} Smith signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with former club Leeds.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/leeds/8596593.stm |department=BBC Sport |title=Lee Smith rejoins Leeds Rhinos after leaving Wasps |date=31 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222052903/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/leeds/8596593.stm |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18725915 |title=Wakefield sign Lee Smith from Leeds Rhinos |department=BBC Sport |date=5 July 2012 |access-date=29 October 2013 |archive-date= 9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709002046/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18725915 |url-status=live }}
=Newcastle Falcons=
On 10 February 2014 he was drafted by Newcastle Falcons{{cite news|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26121845 |title=Newcastle Falcons: Lee Smith joins from Wakefield Wildcats |date=10 February 2014 |access-date=27 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427161946/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26121845 }} and in March of the same year played against Leicester Tigers.{{cite news|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/newcastle-falcons-lee-smith-getting-6848488 |author=Mark Smith |title=Newcastle Falcons' Lee Smith getting to grips with rugby union |newspaper=Chronicle |date=19 March 2014 |access-date=27 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427162651/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/newcastle-falcons-lee-smith-getting-6848488 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/player_info?524869-Lee-Smith Bradford Bulls profile]
- [http://leighrl.co.uk/wp/team_member/26-lee-smith/ Leigh Centurions profile]
- (archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20120928040015/http://www.wasps.co.uk/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=26&season=09%2F10&squadno=7887&seasonl=2009%2F2010&Playertype=P Wasps profile]
- [http://rugby.statbunker.com/players/getPlayerStats?player_id=27131 Statistics at rugby.statbunker.com]
- [http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/108683.html ESPN profile]
{{Bradford Bulls squad}}
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2007 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2008 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2008 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2009 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{England 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{England 2009 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{Harry Sunderland Trophy winners}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Lee}}
Category:Bradford Bulls captains
Category:Bradford Bulls players
Category:England national rugby league team players
Category:English rugby league players
Category:English rugby union players
Category:Newcastle Falcons players
Category:Rugby league fullbacks
Category:Rugby union players from Leeds
Category:Sportspeople from Morley, West Yorkshire
Category:Rugby league players from West Yorkshire