Rugby League Career
Smith joined the Newtown Bluebags in 1942 and played with the club till 1947 aside from the 1945 season when he was on active service. He was selected in Sydney Firsts in 1946. In 1947 at age 28 he was selected as captain of Sydney and NSW and won the NSW Player of the Year award. He debuted for the Kangaroos in 1948 being named as captain-coach for a two Test series against New Zealand. That year he was also named New South Wales player of the year.
The Australians were beaten in a shock upset 21-19 in the 1st Test in Sydney but regrouped to win the 2nd test in Brisbane 13-4. Smith's tactics of running himself like a forward at the Kiwi centres was critical to the victory.
In 2008, the centenary year of rugby league in Australia, Smith was named in the Newtown Jets 18-man team of the century.
Read more about this topic: Len Smith
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