Chris Smylie signs with TenderLink Taranaki
Friday, June 8th 2012
Hurricanes half-back Chris Smylie is the latest to join the Ranfurly Shield winning TenderLink Taranaki team. The talented 30-year-old has signed with Taranaki for the 2012 ITM Cup season.
Hurricanes half-back Chris Smylie is the latest to join the Ranfurly Shield winning TenderLink Taranaki team. The talented 30-year-old has signed with Taranaki for the 2012 ITM Cup season.
The number 9 jersey became available following the departure of the experienced Tyson Keats to Italy and a serious ankle injury to veteran half-back Brett Goodin. While Goodin could be available for the latter half of the 2012 ITM Cup competition, TenderLink Taranaki Head Coach Colin Cooper sought an experienced player to lead the team into competition come August.
“It’s a case of applying some common sense. When we heard Chris Smylie was available it was a no-brainer to bring him into our environment, especially with Brett being out for the start of the season. He is an excellent player with a lot of experience at ITM Cup level. Chris is a great guy off the field and will fit into our team environment well. He will also be a fantastic mentor to the half-backs coming through the ranks. We are pleased to have him in the team” said Cooper.
Smylie is excited to make the move to Taranaki for the 2012 season.
“I am really looking forward to coming up to Taranaki with my family. It is going to be an awesome season for TenderLink Taranaki and I’m excited to help defend the Ranfurly Shield. The Taranaki boys I play with for the Hurricanes love the Naki and it will be great to play alongside them in amber and black” said Smylie.
Chris Smylie has an impressive rugby résumé. He began his provincial debut at age 20 for North Harbour. In 2005 he headed south to join Otago and was selected for the Highlanders the following year. In 2007 Smylie played a season for the Hurricanes, before joining the Blues from 2008-2011. He was lured back to the Hurricanes for the 2012 season, though a pectoral injury during the pre-season has limited his game time in black and yellow this year.
Smylie is also well acquainted with the black jersey having played for New Zealand Secondary Schools, NZ Under 19s, NZ Sevens, NZ Maoris and the Junior All Blacks.
Smylie will be joined in Taranaki by his wife Christine and their two sons Noah (4) and Eli (1).
-ENDS-