During the game he “gathered in the loose and cleverly beat MIncham and Bickerton and after a fast run for 40 yards gave Furnell a perfect “dummy” to score near the posts”.

[27] He missed a try when he “made a nice dash and had [Cyril] Wiberg beaten for pace but V. Scott collided with Smith in attempting a scissors pass”.

Jack kicked “two splendid goals” in the first half to make the score close and was said to have “played a good game at centre three-quarter, while R [Dick] Smith showed patches of his old form”.

He was said to have “played an outstanding game” at fullback where “he handled and kicked well, and was very sound on defence, while he showed much cleverness in running his backs into attacking positions”.

The young North Shore player has steadily made his way to the top this season and his remarkable goal kicking ability has given him an added claim for recognition”.

[70] The same day they had also been given a civic farewell by the mayor, Sir Ernest Davis at the Auckland Town Hall at noon following a morning tea at George Court, Limited.

[72] The Sun (Sydney) newspaper stated that Smith “will most likely play in the big games [and] should show Australians some brilliant goal kicking”.

[91] For their second match against the same New South Wales opponent two days later in June 13, Smith was bracketed at fullback with Hemi in the initial squad list.

[97] While The Referee newspaper said “Smith and Tittleton quick as cats, turned errors by home backs into tries by very clever football, the second try after perfect running and passing, with the supports most timely”.

A while later J. Kilroy broke through but “was brought down by Smith, who snapped up the ball and New Zealand crashed through the defence; but with the whole field to themselves [Walter] Brimble passed forward to Anderson and a splendid chance was lost”.

[110] It was also said that “Smith on the left flank showed pace and nippiness in a couple of scuttling bursts along touch, but was not supported, and the pass inside (generally a perhapser) was not taken”.

[111] It was reported by manager Jack Redwood in the New Zealand newspapers that Smith “was troubled with a sore leg” though it was not mentioned when he had picked up this injury with the implication being that it may have occurred in the first match of the tour.

In comments about the tour from one of the managers, Jack Redwood, “spoke well of J. Smith, the young North Shore player, who was fielded in every match” and said his defense was impressive.

He converted a try to Souter with “a great kick” and at centre three-quarter, “was a thorn in the side of the opposition, and repeatedly saved his team with good positional play and excellent defence”.

[168] The Herald wrote “in the selection of the fullback, J. Smith, of North Shore, was the first choice for the Auckland team, and he will be opposed by George Nēpia, who us fit again after an injury to his arm some weeks ago.

Smith “played the smooth, polished game which is expected of the best league fullback in New Zealand, fielding cleanly, placing his kicks with judgment, tackling unerringly and often running his supports into better position”.

[180] Then after a “nearly six hour” deliberation on the night of July 11 the New Zealand selectors, Scotty McClymont, Jack Redwood, and Jim Amos selected 18 of the 26 required for the tour.

[190] His first game was in round 1 of the championship in a 16-10 win over Mount Albert where he scored a try, and kicked a conversion and four penalties in the main match at Carlaw Park on April 20.

Smith, the New Zealand representative, who went to England last year in the Dominion team, registered a fine performance in gathering 13 of Shore’s 16 points, his tally being a try and five goals.

He and J. Smith appear a happier combination than any possessed formerly this season, it being noticeable in some of the earlier games that the styles of the inside backs were inclined to clash”.

The Auckland Star wrote “in addition to playing a fine positional game at full back … J. Smith gave his side great service by landing three goals, two from penalty kicks, and the other a try conversion.

[237] The Star wrote that “in defeating City… North Shore owed a lot to J. Smith, its centre three-quarter, who in addition to maintaining goal kicking form, showed cleverness in constructive play.

At fullback he “greatly assisted” North Shore and he “drove back the Mount Albert side with lengthy and accurate line-kicking, while his handling, tackling and positional play were first class”.

[251] In a brief piece in the Auckland Star it was said that “Jack Smith (North Shore) headed the league point-getters after last Saturday’s play, with 69 points, comprised of 33 goals and one try.

[261][262] North Shore had a one point lead in the championship with one round remaining and they secured the Fox Memorial Shield with a 19-9 win over Newton on September 13 at Carlaw Park.

It was reported from Cairo, Egypt on November 20 that he played rugby for New Zealand’s Northern Infantry Training Depot against the Australian Imperial Force Unit.

[265] Then in early December a letter was received from Second Lieutenant Ronald Bush stating that he was chosen as vice-captain of the Central Rugby team that was to meet the Northern fifteen in a day or two’s time.

[270] In February of 1945 Smith played for the New Zealand Advance Base side which lost 15 to 6 to the United Services’ team which “fielded three English representatives – F. Millar, A.J.

An advertisement appeared in several newspapers by the Auckland Rugby League promoting the North Shore v Mount Albert game which featured Smith and Verdun Scott’s names.

The Auckland Star wrote that “for the occasion North Shore put in its best team of the season, the reinforcement including Verdun Scott, J. Smith and Ivor Stirling…”.