Chris Smylie - International Career

International Career

Smylie kicked off his international career with the New Zealand Sevens team in 2002 where he played two IRB Sevens tournaments in Singapore and Malaysia.

In 2006 Smylie had been named in the New Zealand Māori squad for the Churchill Cup. In the second test against USA he made his debut as starting Half-back, the New Zealand Māori went on winning the game 74 - 6. He then retained his starting spot against the Ireland Wolfhounds and also got to start in 2006 Churchill Cup final against Scotland A. In 2007 he secured a permanent position as the Half-back with the New Zealand Māori side during the 2007 Churchill Cup. He started in all three matches against Canada, the Ireland Wolfhounds and including the final against the England Saxons. In 2008 he continued his career with the New Zealand Māori during 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup. He had only started one match against Fiji, after Piri Weepu joined the squad.

Smylie then was named in the Junior All Blacks side in 2009. He started two out of the three matches against Samoa and Fiji and then came off the bench against Tonga. He then returned to the New Zealand Māori for their 2010 Sealord Centenary Series. He suffered a fractured cheekbone after the match against the New Zealand Barbarians which finshed is career for the New Zealand Māori in 2010.