Smith Surprise Kiwi Bolter
Sunday 16th  April, 2006
 

The Sunday Telegraph has reported that former Port Kembla player Jeremy Smith may be a surprise bolter for the Kiwi ANZAC Test team to play Australia on May 5. Smith is currently a part of the Parramatta Premier League side playing at halfback.

Sunday Telegraph reporter David Riccio says that New Zealand coach Brian McLennan has called Smith to advise of his possible interest in using him in his ANZAC test plans.

Smith was brought to The Blacks of Port Kembla in the 2003 season by then coach Luke Goodwin. He started in 14 first grade games scoring 36 points while playing predominantly at fullback.

Now 24 years old, Smith says it has always been a goal of his to wear the black and white of the Kiwi jersey, and if it did come about, would be "the greatest honour he has ever had".

Should Smith continue his good form with the Parramatta Premier League side and be selected in the New Zealand ANZAC test team, the Sunday Telegraph parallels the selection to "rivalling Kiwi five-eighth Olsen Filipaina's 1985 test call up, when he was chosen from reserve grade to take on Wally Lewis". Consideration towards Smith has come as a result of injuries to preferred playmakers Benji Marshall (shoulder), Stacey Jones (arm) and Jerome Ropati (hamstring), and poor form being displayed by Lance Hohaia.

Smith represented the Junior Kiwis and scored a try in New Zealand A's 40-16 win over "a quality Australian outfit last year".