Tim Smith (rugby league)

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Tim Smith
fullname = Timothy Aiden Smith


caption =
country =
position = Scrum-half
currentclub = leagueicon|Wigan|size=16 Wigan Warriors
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|1|13|df=yes
placeofbirth = Gold Coast, Queensland
countryofbirth = Australia
height = height|ft=5|in=11
weight = 14 st 7 lbs (92 kg)
club1 = leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16 Parramatta Eels
year1start = 2005
year1end = 2008
appearances1 = 71
tries1 = 11
goals1 = 1
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 46
club2 = leagueicon|Wigan|size=16 Wigan Warriors
year2start = 2008
year2end = present
appearances2 = 6
tries2 = 1
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 4
updated = 07:28, 6 September 2008 (UTC)
source =

Timothy Aiden Smith (born 13 January 1985 in Runaway Bay, Queensland) is an Australian professional rugby league player for Wigan Warriors in the European Super League. His usual position is half-back.

Awards and acclaim

In 2005, he won the prestigious 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. [ [http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17829027%255E23214,00.html AdelaideNow... Fan claims Eels star attacked him ] ] 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. [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]

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.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] 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. [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]

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.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]

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.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]

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.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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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]

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

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]