Brian Smith, a gifted and controversial figure in international rugby, has died at the age of 59 from cancer. Smith was notable for being one of the first "project players" for Ireland, having previously represented Australia.
Smith's arrival in Irish rugby in 1989 marked an early instance of the "grannygate" controversy, where players qualified through family ties to play for a country other than their birth nation. This practice, now common with players like Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen, was met with significant resistance in the late 1980s. Smith had already played six times for Australia, including in their 1987 World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland, before qualifying to play for Ireland based on a "discovering" a grandmother in Wexford.
The eligibility rules at the time were more flexible, allowing players to represent multiple nations. This contrasted with the "Plastic Paddy" era in Irish soccer under Jack Charlton, where the public had largely accepted non-Irish born players. However, the rugby community, including players, media, and administrators, reacted with outrage.
Despite the controversy, Smith's talent was undeniable. He was a versatile player, comfortable at scrum-half or out-half, possessing excellent running, kicking, and passing abilities. He was a highly sought-after talent, playing for Oxford University, Leicester, and Leinster, in addition to the Irish national side.
Smith's time in Europe was not without its challenges. His self-belief was sometimes perceived as arrogance, setting him apart from his teammates and the prevailing culture of Irish rugby. His base in England, at a time when the All-Ireland League was establishing its own identity, also contributed to his detachment.
His abrasive personality reportedly caused friction even at Oxford University. While a marquee player for the university's rugby team alongside Australian international Troy Coker, aiming to defeat Cambridge, their integration was difficult. An incident involving Coker's bid for the captaincy and Smith's strong backing of his countryman led to both Australians being dropped from the squad, an episode that garnered significant media attention.
Despite these off-field issues, Smith's on-field contributions for Ireland in the 1991 Five Nations Championship were significant. Under coach Ciaran Fitzgerald, Ireland played an exciting brand of rugby, with Smith orchestrating the play from the No. 10 position. This period offered a wave of optimism for Irish rugby heading into the 1991 World Cup, hosted in the autumn.
The team boasted considerable talent, including Simon Geoghegan, Brendan Mullin, and Nick Popplewell, with Smith seen as the key player to unify the squad. However, the team faced a major disruption when Smith announced he was returning to Australia to play rugby league for coach Alan Jones.
This decision intensified the criticism against Smith, cementing his controversial legacy in Irish rugby. Following his departure, Ralph Keyes stepped into the vacant fly-half role for the World Cup. Keyes became the tournament's leading points scorer, and Ireland narrowly missed reaching the quarter-finals, losing to Australia. While Keyes and the team performed admirably, the question lingered whether Smith's presence could have provided the crucial edge to advance further, a persistent doubt in the context of Ireland's long-standing World Cup struggles.