ERIC SMITH

  • Nickname:               Smithy
  • Position:                  Flanker
  • SENIORS:                1998 - 2003 / 2005 - 2013
  • SENIOR Caps:         202
  • 1998 - 2004 SC Heartland Squad
  • ​​​​​​​2006 - 2009 SC Heartland Squad
  • 2003 THRFC Sportsperson
  • 2003 NZ Divisional XV
  • 2007 NZ Heartland XV
  • 2008 NZ Heartland XV
  • 2010 Te Waipounamu Senior XV
  • 2013 200th THRFC Senior Game 14.07.2013 (#001)
  • 2013 100th SCRFU Representative Game 1.09.2013

The list of acolades won.... too many to mention

from player of the day / outstanding player of the year / 3,2,1 player of the year / players player of the year / Sports Person of the year.... and thats only for Harlequins then theirs the SCRFU acolades.... need i say more

2003 NZ Divisinal XV member, 2007 and 2008 NZ Heartland  XV selection, highlights and just service for his commitment and dedication to the sport of rugby.

Eric also only just missed selection on both the 2009 and 2010 Heartland XV, with high praises from the Heartland Coach.

On first apperance Eric shows a quiet but calm attitude to life but once on the rugby field that calm emotion turns to total commitment and determination to play at the highest level, both for his province and club.

Eric's dominance on the field during the annual Te Waipounamu Maori Rugby Tournament held here in Timaru had him selected on the 2010 Te Waipounamu Senior side, with games scheduled against Te Tini a Maui(Central Districts) played in Chritchurch and Te Hiku O Te Ika(Northern Districts) played in Auckland.

His performance in the first game against TTAM earned him Player of the Day then to score 2 tries in the second game against THOTI, these performances showed why his selection on the team was a  must and a huge contribution to the success of Te Waiponamu Rugby for 2010, with the highlight of 2010 to be selected in the Tri Series Senior Team which is a feeder to the NZ Maori Team.

First Harlequin Senior Player to reach 200 senior club games vs Celtic 14/07/2012 followed one week later by Craig Miller to reach the same mile stone vs Temuka 21/07/2012 and then to follow up that feat by reaching 100 South Canterbury representative games in the same year.