Born: September 4, 1941
Test record: 16 Tests (1966-68, 1970-71) – 3 tries (9 points)
Tours: 1967 tour of Australia, 1968 World Cup, 1970 World Cup, 1971 tour of Britain and France

Wellington second-rower/prop Garry Smith played 16 Tests for New Zealand, encompassing two World Cups and concluding with the Kiwis’ triumphant ‘Grand Slam’ heroics of 1971.

A product of the Runanga club and a West Coast rep as a centre, Smith moved to Wellington with Marist and first represented his new province in 1965 – scoring a try against Australia.

Initially chosen as a New Zealand reserve forward for the 1966 home series against Great Britain, he came into the second-row following the injury withdrawal of West Coast’s Kevin Dixon and played in both Tests.

Smith played nine minor matches on the Kiwis’ 1967 tour of Australia – scoring tries against North Queensland and Northern Division – before coming into the front-row for the third Test, a 13-9 loss at the SCG.

Though he was overlooked for home series against Australia and Great Britain in between, Smith played in all three of New Zealand’s matches at the 1968 and 1970 World Cups. In the latter edition, he scored tries in the Kiwis’ losses to Australia and Great Britain.

The seasoned forward was a mainstay as New Zealand conquered the world in 1971, featuring in the 24-3 victory over Australia at Carlaw Park, and all six Tests on tour as the Kiwis recorded series victories over Great Britain and France. He scored a try in the series-sealing win over France in the second Test at Carcassonne.