RETIREMENT OF J. B. SMITH

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27470, 2 October 1954, Page 3

RETIREMENT OF J. B. SMITH

TRIBUTE OF BRITISH WRITER (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.AJ (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 30. The sports writer of the "Manchester Guardian,” in a tribute to J. B. Smith on his retirement, says the New Zealander was the greatest centre three-quarters of post-war Rugby, and that it will be hard for the Dominion to imagine the game without him.

"■niose people In the British Isles who saw him play with the 1945-56 Kiwi team will understand what loss he will be to the Dominion's Rugby life,” he says. "Smith was a wise man off the field; on it he was a wily fox. He did not walk; he slouched, arms dangling by his sides, his feet dragging. This lethargic appearance deceived opponents who did not know him, but those who had marked him before could only hope that he did not beat them too often.

"He is now 32 years old, and in recent years he showed signs of slowing a little, but even last season he still retained his artistic side-step, his perfect timing of a pass that made all wings sigh with delight, and his ability to break through any but the strongest tackle. "As well as being captain of the Maori All Blacks for several seasons and the All Blacks in their matches against Australia in 1949, Smith captained North Auckland and helped build it into the Dominion’s top provincial side for a period. Smith was admired throughout the north for his modesty and gentle manner as much as for his playing ability. “A Maori from Kaikohe once was asked if he knew Smith. ‘Of course I know J.8.,’ he replied, ‘he’s my cousin.’ He’s everybody’s cousin in the north.”