Remembering Brian Smith #910

Brian Smith gliding through Scotland and Lion Rob Wainwright during Varsity 1988, Twickenham

Everyone at OURFC is saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Smith, Blue #910, who died on 12 August following a short illness.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f338c1_bc511665b9fb43f88ef6089ca9b4ec06/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

A wonder try! Brian Smith spots space in the backfield and dots down himself.

Brian came up, or rather across, to St. Anne’s from his home of Queensland in 1988, to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Brian was educated at Brisbane State High School and Queensland University, where he graduated in Education and Economics. When he arrived in Oxford, Brian was already a capped Wallaby, #659, having made his debut in his home state of Queensland in 1987, starting at fly-half in a 65-18 win over South Korea, scoring 17 points. He also played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup, as did his 1988 Dark Blue teammate David Kirk, Blue #900, who captained New Zealand to a famous win. Comfortable playing anywhere across the backline but most at home at either half back or five eighth, Brian would go on to throw himself into life at Oxford, and to cement himself as an integral cog in the Varsity-winning side of 1988, playing outside David Kirk at scrumhalf, and inside Welsh international Dai Evans, Blue #908, at centre. Brian spent two seasons at Oxford, being elected to the captaincy in 1989. After his time at the club, he qualified for Irish representation through his Grandmother, winning nine caps for the country from 1991. After this, he went on to switch codes, making 43 league appearances for Balmain Tigers and Eastern Suburbs, back in Australia. Brian went on to have a long coaching career, at London Irish, and England Rugby under Martin Johnson, before settling as Head of Sport, at Scot’s College, Sydney, rounding off a career as someone who truly soaked up all that both codes of rugby have to offer.

The 1989 Oxford University Blues Team, captained by Brian Smith

Brian was twice a world-beater across his career. In 1988, he gave a virtuosic performance for Australia against a World XV in the bicentennial match, scoring 26 points as Australia won 42-38. This tally included a try, a 100% rate from the tee, and a drop goal off either foot. The next year, after his election to captain of OURFC, he led the Dark Blues to a 33-30 victory over a similar World XV at Iffley Road, featuring players such as Rory Underwood, Clive Woodward and Blue #891, Bill Calcraft. In October 1988, Brian also toured Japan with the Blues, playing in a match against Japan, to commemorate the reopening of the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground. The match was granted Test match status, with Oxford winning 23-12.

The 1988 Varsity side was a particularly close-knit one, adding to their success. In the Varsity Match Programme, Brian’s teammates said of Mark Egan that he ‘sees his main problem as one of survival – living with Andrew Williams and David Evans and, of course, Brian Smith.’ Brian retained this spirit of good humour throughout his time at the club, for example poking fun at a returning David Kirk for the World XV, suggesting that he would be ‘a touch of age to add experience.’ Despite losing the Varsity Match in 1989, Brian was greatly respected by his teammates, who dubbed him a ‘committed and dedicated fitness fanatic’, making him a ‘club favourite’. Mark Egan, Blue #907, elaborates on Brian’s professionalism, and the high regard he was held in:

Brian had an outstanding career as a player, and it was a privilege to play with him at OURFC. He was an outstanding rugby athlete and in the late 80s / early 90s, was way ahead of his time in terms of his approach to training, nutrition, and mental preparation for games. He was unique in that he could cover any position in the backline and it was no surprise that he went on to have a successful career as a High Performance coach in the professional game after retiring from playing. My thoughts are with his family and colleagues at this sad and difficult time. May he rest in peace.

His captain in 1988, Rupert Vessey, Blue #878 has also given some words to remember Brian, and his remarkably professional attitude that set him apart as such an important member of that 1988 side.

The Varsity Match was won in fine style 27-7 at a packed Twickenham with Brian scoring two of five great tries along with two conversions. Brian was a central and critical part of the team’s success. He was an outstanding athlete and competitor who approached rugby with a professional mindset when the game was still amateur. He set an example for others to live up and was also an innovator on field introducing new ways to create space and scoring opportunities. After his international career he went on to on to be a successful coach at the highest level. He will be missed by his friends and family and we are planning a 40 year reunion in 2028 where he will be remembered by all his teammates. May his memory be a blessing. 

Last year's varsity winning captain, Jack Hamilton, Blue #1302, remembers Brian also:

I crossed paths briefly with Smithy at Sydney Uni when he coached there for a season; his rugby IQ and the way he saw the game tactically made an instant impression, especially on me as a younger scrum-half. It’s tragic news for the Oxford and Australian rugby communities that he has passed. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family during this sad time.

The legacy that Brian leaves is not only one of a true, talented rugby polymath, professionally dedicated ahead of his time, but of a man who held the core values of the game of rugby at his heart, as a game to be enjoyed. Brian argued as such in his Captain’s Column, prefacing match programmes in the 1989 season:

Being amateur doesn’t mean being satisfied with the mediocre and second best or pretending that winning isn’t important. Rather, an amateur game is one which, while holding fast to all the virtues of competitive sport, never loses sight of the fact that it’s played for fun and enjoyment. [...] We hope that in 1989 our fun will come from realising our potential as players and peoples, recognising that, in a 15 man game, 15 men must be encouraged to run with and use the ball; and when all this is done well, the cameraderie and confidence which result build a momentum of their own.

Everyone at OURFC sends our condolences to Brian’s friends, family, and the community at St. Scot’s College. Brian will be sorely missed, but proudly remembered.