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'No professional has done that' - Ageless George Smith reveals ambitious goal
By Online Editors
Former Wallabies flanker George Smith has stated his desire to continue playing despite his advanced age.
"I do have a personal target," the 38-year-old Bristol flanker told The Rugby Paper.
"I started in 1999 and it would be nice to make that fourth decade, playing at least a few games in each because no professional has done that."
Smith represented the Wallabies 111 times after making his debut in 2000. He last played international rugby in 2013 and spent part of 2018 in Australia with the Queensland Reds before joining Premiership side Bristol Bears.
"I've always enjoyed my football with all the teams I've been a part of and it's great to play rugby for a living so it's not hard to find the motivation to carry on," Smith said.
Despite signing on for the rest of the season after initially joining Bristol on a short-term deal, Smith is unsure where his playing future lies.
"I had a short term contract at Bristol but with with the way it was going, for me to extend shows the faith I have in the way we play the game and the people in the squad," he explained. "It's just for six months so we'll leave it there for now and see how things go."
Smith has played club rugby in Australia, France, Japan and England during his career, representing the Brumbies, Lyon, Queensland Reds, Stade Français, Toulon, Suntory Sungoliath and Wasps.
His 142 caps for the Brumbies are second only to longtime prop Ben Alexander, and he sits fifth all time for Wallabies caps.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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