Born in Townsville, raised in New Zealand, a couple of Super Rugby titles with the Waikato-based Chiefs and now on the verge of a Test debut for the Wallabies in Chicago.
It’s been some journey for 26-year-old Melbourne Rebels prop Toby Smith who has been named on the bench for the Wallabies against the United States at Soldier Field on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
“It’s really exciting … I definitely didn’t think I’d be debuting in Chicago of all places,” Smith told AAP.
Smith’s Kiwi parents returned to New Zealand when the prop was two and that’s where he was raised.
He won an Under 20s World Cup with New Zealand in 2008 before going on to join the Waikato-based Chiefs from 2010-2013 before linking with the Rebels in the hope of playing for Australia.
“I’ve loved my time in Melbourne with the Rebels. Credit to the coaching staff and the boys there because without them I wouldn’t have got this opportunity,” he said.
“To get this opportunity to play for Australia is something very special.”
The Wallabies have been training at the University of Notre Dame in the lead-up to their clash with the Eagles.
Smith hopes to stake a claim for a place in the Wallabies’ squad to face Fiji in their World Cup opener in Cardiff on September 23.
“There’s an opportunity there, but with it being my first game I’m just focussing purely on this week and putting in the best performance I can on the field and then further down the track will take care of itself,” he said.
The set-piece continues to be a big focus for the Wallabies in their preparations and Smith has enjoyed working under Argentinian scrum guru Mario Ledesma.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work with our different combinations and it’s coming along well,” Smith said.
“Mario has been great. He’s a got a lot experience and he’s hands on in the scrums.
“To have someone of his calibre helping me out has been really good for me.”
Cheika was delighted for Smith.
“Toby is an extremely humble guy, and a very popular member of the group,” said Cheika.
“He’s been training exceptionally well throughout our 2015 international campaign, and that along with his form during Super Rugby has earned him the right to become a Wallaby.”
atlas
Guest
Correction :Perenise not Pernise
atlas
Guest
Props to the world ! NZ front row fans can take pride in representation in other countries' RWC teams, i like to follow their progress. Last night Nathan White got his second cap for Ireland, he was a team-mate of Toby Smith at Waikato and Chiefs. Taranaki and Hurricanes prop Michael Bent missed the final cut for Ireland but could still make it if there's injury, next prop on the list. And former Counties-Manukau and Samoa U-20 player Uini Atonio is in the French RWC side, all 155kg of him Anthony Pernise, former Wellington, Hawke's Bay, the Hurricanes and Highlanders, is with Samoa, along with a couple of hookers in Ole Avei (Waikato) and current Wellington and Hurricanes player Moto Matu'u Good luck to all of them. Wouldn't wish an injury on anyone, but do hope Bent gets a run for Ireland
Sprigs
Guest
So the ABs were beaten in Sydney by a B team?
Billy Bob
Guest
This deserves an drowning in Speights? Btw I love Speights. Pride of the South. Great drop. This is a strange trans-Tasman argument. (are there any that aren't strange?) It should be a celebration and congratulation of an aspirational rugby professional. But no. The professional Parade-Rainers from a certain elite rugby nation have to throw their two bob of whinge into every conversation. I know it's not universal because I know plenty of nzers who recognise the humanity of us 'shackle draggers'. But on threads like this one you'd be forgiven for thinking that Aussie-baiting is a subject taught in NZ schools.
James
Guest
Toby Smith was born in Kirwan Queensland to Kiwi parents. Therefore technically he is Australian by birth.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
would he have made the NZ B team? oh he did by making the Australia a team
Old Bugger
Guest
Then welcome to the "Old Bugger's Club Extraordinaire"......entry fee is a bottle of fine single malt or bourbon, of your choice.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
it would be 20 times as much
wardad
Guest
Wasnt it 7 in one game ?
wardad
Guest
Actually we dont care as we have reached our quota of Smiths ,besides hoteliers get sus as it is when all the "Smiths " book in...
wardad
Guest
Jeez mate we must both be old buggers ,I used to love that show .I
wardad
Guest
Bwahahahahhaha Jerry thats awesome dude ! coffee shooting out my nose not so much....
El Gamba
Roar Guru
And you owe some decent coin to South Africa for Andrew Mehrtens. Pathetic comments, just finished my sixth VB I'm so angry ;)
somer
Guest
The difference is that Toby is clearly a Kiwi who couldn't make the ABs so took advantage of a superficial connection to another country. Thorn was a Kiwi who migranted to Australia and always wanted to be an AB first and foremost, not a Wallaby. Thorn is representing his first loyalty, Toby is manipulating a technicality just so he can play at the elite level without any real personal links to Australia.
Ra
Guest
Cooper travelled on Kiwi passport as a Wallaby I believe. Isn't it funny how they can fast track citizenship for a few when they want to eh...
Ra
Guest
no, he's not an Australian citizen under Aussies immigration law. He didn't develop himself, he came through the Kiwi rugby machine. I had a lot of time for him when he was with the Chiefs. He made a decision to try to make the Wallabies. I think about now, the All Black selectors would be looking at their next cabs to fill in the front row ranks. He must have thought he wasn't on the radar, but as all knowing rugby buffs are aware of, he's just at the right age for a prop to be hitting his strides. Good luck to Toby, just another one that got away...
Jerry
Guest
Steve Devine who's been retired for more than a decade?
Jerry
Guest
Brad Thorn never played against a rugby union that developed him.
Adsa
Guest
6 sixth bottle of that stuff, you are on a death wish.
Barry the all black supporter
Guest
But it's not fair NZRU put so much development into him. The wallabies don't deserve it. I would rather he stayed inNZ. It makes me so mad to see NZ be made a mockery of. I am so angry I am onto my 6th bottle of speights