Born: September 20, 1874 - Auckland
Died: December 7, 1954 - Oldham, England
Test record: 4 Tests (1908) - 1 try (3 points)
Tours: 1907-08 tour of Australia and Britain
One of the finest all-round sportsmen New Zealand has ever produced, former All Black and athletics champion George Smith was one of the key figures in getting the 'All Golds' tour off the ground and captained New Zealand in two Tests on the trailblazing journey.
Smith initially found sporting success as a jockey, though the legend that he rode Impulse to win the 1894 New Zealand Cup (at just 49kg) has been widely disputed.
He began playing rugby union in Auckland in 1895, debuted for the province the following season and was part of the New Zealand team that played against NSW in 1897.
After winning 15 sprinting and hurdles national titles, as well as Australian championships and British AAA titles, from 1898-1904, Smith starred on the famed 1905 'Originals' All Blacks tour to Britain and France - scoring 19 tries in as many games before injury struck him down. In all, he scored 34 tries in 39 matches for the New Zealand rugby union side.
Smith made a trip to Sydney with his City club in 1906 and purportedly spoke to the likes of Victor Trump and James Giltinan about getting professional rugby up and running in Australasia. Upon his return, Smith and Albert Baskiville set about organising the touring party that would eventually be immortalised as the All Golds.
Chosen as vice-captain, Smith's high profile was a coup for the venture. He played in one match against NSW (under rugby union rules) en route to Britain, where he featured in all four Tests against England and Norther Union.
The 33-year-old captained New Zealand in the last two Tests against Northern Union, scoring a try in a historic 18-6 win at Stamford Bridge.
Smith remained in England, signing a £150 contract with Oldham. He scored a century of tries in eight years with the club - eventually moving into the forwards - before a broken leg ended his career in 1916 at the age of 42.
Living out the rest of his life in England, Smith regularly met touring Kiwis and All Blacks squads prior to his death in 1954. He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1995, while the George Smith Medal was struck in 2002 to be awarded to the player of the series between the Kiwis and Great Britain.