Tim Smith (rugby league)
2729809
225775817
2008-07-15T10:13:13Z
Londo06
2700576
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225706897 by [[Special:Contributions/MadBullsFan|MadBullsFan]] ([[User talk:MadBullsFan|talk]])
{{Infobox rugby league biography
| playername = Tim Smith
| image =
| fullname = Timothy Aiden Smith
| dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1985|1|13|df=yes}}
| cityofbirth = [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland]]
| countryofbirth = [[Australia]]
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| weight = 14 st 7 lbs (92 kg)
| school = [[Coombabah State High School]]
| Nickname(s)= [[Rummy]]
| currentclub = {{leagueicon|Wigan|size=16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
| clubnumber = 32
| position = [[Rugby league positions#Scrum-half|Scrum-half]]
| youthyears =
| youthclubs = Runaway Bay Seagulls
| years = 2005–2008<br />2008–
| clubs = {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Parramatta Eels]]<br />{{leagueicon|Wigan|size=16}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
| caps(points) = 71 (46)<br />0 (0)
| repyears =
| repteam =
| repcaps(points) =
| youthrepyears = 2002
| youthrepteam = {{leagueicon|Australia|size=16}} [[Australian Schoolboys]]
| youthrepcaps(points) =
| pcupdate = 07:28, 1 December 2007 (UTC)
| repupdate =
}}
'''Timothy Aiden Smith''' (born [[13 January]] [[1985]] in [[Runaway Bay, Queensland]]) is an [[Australia]]n professional [[rugby league]] player for the [[Wigan Warriors]] in the in the [[Super League (Europe)|European Super League]] competition. His position of choice is [[Rugby league positions#7Scrum-half|half-back]].
==Awards and acclaim==
In 2005, he won the prestigious [[Dally M. Awards 2005|Dally M]] ''Rookie of the Year'' award after leading the NRL in try assists. He also received much acclaim from Parramatta legend [[Peter Sterling]], who "handed over" the Eels #7 jersey in an episode of ''[[The NRL Footy Show]]'' in the middle of 2005. Tim has been touted as the most naturally skilled halfback in the NRL with the ability to land precsion kicks and passes with incredible accuracy. With 40 try assists in his debut season Smith entered the NRL scene with a bang, he was labeled as the next 'Joey' and 'Sterlo'.
==Controversy==
In December 2005, Tim Smith was allegedly involved in a street scuffle with a man in the inner-[[Sydney]] suburb of [[The Rocks]].<ref>[http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17829027%255E23214,00.html AdelaideNow... Fan claims Eels star attacked him<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He denied any such action and no charges were laid.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}
In December 2007, further allegations of public drunken behaviour were made against Smith.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Fox Sports News (Australia)''|title=Eels halfback could face sack |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22878518-23214,00.html |accessdate=2007-12-05|date=[[2007-12-06]]}}</ref>
Smith was suspended indefinitely by the Eels. He remained on contract with the club, and Parramatta stated the most important issue was his health. Smith booked himself into full-time rehabilitation interstate.<ref name="Eels' Smith suspended indefinitely">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22923430-23214,00.html|title=Eels' Smith suspended indefinitely|publisher=Fox|date=2007-12-14|accessdate=2007-12-14}}</ref> On [[8 January]] [[2008]] the Parramatta Club reviewed his behaviour at the rehabilitation clinic and lifted his suspension but he was subject to a number of sanctions which included a fine and charity work. <ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Abc News''|title=Eels lift Smith's suspension |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/08/2134235.htm |accessdate=2008-01-08|date=2008-01-08}}</ref>
Early in the 2008 season, after just three games of football, Smith advised his club and team-mates that he was suffering from bipolar disorder. He then gave a statement to the media saying he had been given an indefinite leave from football, saying he was having trouble coping with the constant criticism from the media.
Tim returned to his family in the Gold Coast, with the aim to rest and recuperate with the aim of returning to professional rugby league in the future.<ref name="Tim Smith talks to Peter Sterling">{{cite web|url=http://video.msn.com/video.aspx/?mkt=en-au&brand=ninemsn&tab=m167&mediaid=194625&from=39&vid=AB44D2A1-1D30-4742-989E-82B1A13CBDEB&playlist=videoByTag:mk:en-AU:vs:0:tag:ausport_ausportsgeneral:ns:MSNVideo_Top_Cat:ps:10:sd:-1:ind:1:ff:8A&wa=wsignin1.0|title=Tim Smith talks to Peter Sterling|publisher=NineMSN|date=2008-06-05|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref>
==Move to England==
Wigan Warriors announced in June, 2008 that they had signed Tim Smith for the remainder of the 2008 season and 2009.
Smith linked up with his new teammates in July once his work-permit has been approved. Following weeks of visa problems he goes into the reckoning for his Wigan debut.<ref name="Smith set for Wigan debut">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24004127-23214,00.html|title=Smith set for Wigan debut|publisher=Fox Sports|date=2008-07-11|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref>
Speaking about the signing, Chairman Ian Lenagan said, "We acknowledge some risks – reflected in the contract - in signing Tim after his early-season illness difficulties but Tim now feels ready to re-launch his Rugby League career away from the Sydney media pressure. We believe the supportive and professional environment at the Wigan Club is ideal to help him achieve this.”
Smith had also been linked with a move to England and London based franchise [[Harlequins Rugby League]].<ref name="Super League alert for Tim">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/rugby_league/article1246566.ece|title=Super League alert for Tim|publisher=The Sun|date=2008-06-05|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref><ref name="Wigan target Smith">{{cite web|url=http://www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Wigan-target-Smith.4148509.jp|title=Wigan target Smith|publisher=Wigan Today|date=2008-06-04|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref><ref name="Smith to restart league career">{{cite web|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/smith-to-restart-league-career/2008/05/26/1211653933544.html|title=Smith to restart league career|publisher=LeagueHQ|date=2008-05-26|accessdate=2008-05-28}}</ref><ref name="Tim Smith talks to Peter Sterling">{{cite web|url=http://video.msn.com/video.aspx/?mkt=en-au&brand=ninemsn&tab=m167&mediaid=194625&from=39&vid=AB44D2A1-1D30-4742-989E-82B1A13CBDEB&playlist=videoByTag:mk:en-AU:vs:0:tag:ausport_ausportsgeneral:ns:MSNVideo_Top_Cat:ps:10:sd:-1:ind:1:ff:8A&wa=wsignin1.0|title=Tim Smith talks to Peter Sterling|publisher=NineMSN|date=2008-06-05|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref><ref name="Wigan complete Smith deal">{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3669635,00.html|title=Wigan complete Smith deal|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2008-06-09|accessdate=2008-06-09}}</ref><ref name="Smith joins Wigan">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/06/09/RUGBYL_Wigan.html|title=Smith joins Wigan|publisher=Sportinglife|date=2008-06-09|accessdate=2008-06-09}}</ref><ref name="Warriors Sign Tim Smith">{{cite web|url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=3938|title=Warriors Sign Tim Smith|publisher=Wigan Warriors|date=2008-06-09|accessdate=2008-06-09}}</ref><ref name="Warriors snap up half-back Smith">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wigan/7444562.stm|title=Warriors snap up half-back Smith|publisher=BBC|date=2008-06-09|accessdate=2008-06-09}}</ref>
== Career highlights ==
*'' First-grade Debut:'' Parramatta v Wests Tigers, Telstra Stadium, [[12 March]] [[2005]](Rd 1)
*''Awards:''2005 Dally M Rookie of the Year
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.parraeels.com.au/ Parramatta Eels Official Site]
*[http://www.parraeels.com/ Parramatta Eels in 2006 - All the news they don't show you]
*[http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Tim_Smith.html Rugby League Project stats]
{{Wigan Warriors squad}}
{{Parramatta Eels squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Tim}}
[[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:Australian Schoolboy players]]
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Parramatta Eels rugby league players]]
[[Category:Wigan Warriors players]]