Hurricanes

Bio

Five years after first playing for the Hurricanes, Chris Smylie is set to return to the franchise for the 2012 season. The North Harbour halfback and captain was rewarded for an industrious 2011 ITM Cup when offered his second Hurricanes contract in September.

Previously, 2005 NPC First Division Player of the Year Smylie was an exciting draft acquisition for the Hurricanes in 2007 in the absence of the reconditioned Piri Weepu for the first half of the season - although his role was limited due to the rapid emergence of Alby Mathewson through the halfback ranks. Smylie made his sole start in round one against the Reds.

Smylie previously had one season for the Highlanders in 2006, off the back of a hugely impressive debut season for Otago in 2005. Starting Otago’s mid-year encounter against the British and Irish Lions on the bench behind former Hurricane and All Black Danny Lee, Smylie went on to make 12 straight appearances at number nine en route to the NPC final. This included a man of the match performance for the southerners in a 26-10 win over Wellington at Westpac Stadium.

Smylie started his first class career at North Harbour, whom he played five times for in 2002 and 2003, and played two IRB Sevens tournaments in 2002, in Singapore and Malaysia.

He was a Blues player in 2009 and 2010 and made the New Zealand Juniors squad for the Pacific Nations Cup in June and July 2009 and the New Zealand Maori side in 2010. Heading into the 2012 season, Smylie has 45 Super rugby caps  for the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Blues.

Smylie was in top form captaining North Harbour in the 2011 ITM Cup, leading with some strong performances at halfback.

Stats

Provincial Teams

North Harbour, Otago

Provincial Points

65 (13 tries)

Provincial Caps

83

Provincial Debut

2002 v Auckland

Super Rugby Caps

44 (Hurricanes - 7)

Super Rugby Points

10 (2 tries)

Super Rugby Debut

2006 v Crusaders (Highlanders)

Rugby facts

Earliest Rugby Memory

New image for Te Atatu

Position When Younger

10, 12, Prop

Biggest Rugby Influence

God

Most Memorable Rugby Moment

Playing against British Lions

Worst Rugby Room Mate

Tom McCartney and George Pisi