David Smith (Samoan rugby union)

Early life and career

Smith grew up in the village of Manase. Smith was spotted whilst on a rugby tour to New Zealand and was subsequently offered a scholarship to attend Auckland's Mount Albert Grammar School. His mentor and coach was former Auckland RFU and All Blacks player Bryan Williams, with whom he trained before being brought into the wider Auckland training squad in 2005. After a year playing for Auckland B and the Auckland Sevens team, Smith, under the tutelage of coach Pat Lam, and with the guidance and help of fellow Samoan player Brad Mika, was selected in the 2006 Auckland Air New Zealand Cup squad. Smith was touted by journalists as 'The Next Great Thing in Waiting' in August 2006, which was his debut season. He later played in the ITM Cup for Wellington and Taranaki.

Super Rugby career

In late 2006 when he was named as one of the Hurricanes draft picks for the 2007 Super 14 season. This selection by Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper forced incumbent winger Roy Kinikinilau out of the team, who was subsequently drafted by the Highlanders. Expected to start as a back-up wing for the Hurricanes, Smith was part of the starting line-up the first game of the season against the Queensland Reds, relegating Samoan international Lome Fa'atau to the bench for much of the season. By the season's end, David Smith had accumulated 12 caps as well as scoring his first try against the Vodacom Stormers of South Africa.

He was signed by the Blues in 2008, before returning to the Hurricanes in 2009. In November 2010, it was announced that the Western Force had signed Smith for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Top 14 Career

Following that season, he moved to France, signing for RC Toulonnais.

Before the 2015-2016 he transferred to Castres Olympique