August 12, 2026 — 2:47pm
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The Wallabies have paid tribute to former Australian rugby and Balmain Tigers star Brian Smith, who has passed away at the age of 59.
Smith, who played Test rugby for both Australia and Ireland before switching to play rugby league in 1991 for Balmain and Easts, died after a short battle with cancer.
Brian Smith in action for Balmain in 1991.Craig Golding/Fairfax Media
Smith moved into coaching after his playing career and spent time at leading clubs around the world, but over the last decade, he was a rugby coach and head of sport at Scots College in Sydney’s east.
The school said in a statement: “The Scots College is deeply saddened by the passing of Brian Smith, a much-loved member of our community and Head of Performance – Rugby.
“Brian had been very unwell in recent months and was battling an aggressive cancer. Our immediate thoughts are with Brian’s wife, Lisa, his daughters, Ruby and Santana, and his son, Chilli.”
Wallabies prop Angus Bell, who was coached by Smith as a schoolboy, paid tribute on Wednesday.
Brian Smith playing for the Wallabies in 1987.Adrian Greer Michael Short; Paul Matthews/Fairfax Media
“He was coaching at Scots school and coached a lot of us coming through the grades and I just wanted to say it’s a really sad time and we’re wishing the best for his wife and kids,” Bell said at a Wallabies press conference.
“You know, he was an avid rugby person and helped a lot of individuals in the squad so just sending my condolences from the Wallabies and both myself.
“He was my coach in GPS, and NSW twos. I was 16 and fair to say that I wouldn’t have played anywhere near as good without him. Me, Jeremy Williams and Will Harris from the Force were really close with him and he was a great bloke, a great father, a great coach.
Brian Smith nursing an injury in 1992.Steve Christo/Fairfax Media
“Yeah, very sad.“
The Wests Tigers also offered their condolences.
“On behalf of everyone at the Wests Tigers, we offer our sincere condolences to Brian’s family,” Tigers CEO Shaun Mielekamp said.
“Brian will be fondly remembered at the Tigers for his achievements in rugby league and rugby union, as well as his contribution to the broader community following his playing career.
“Our thoughts are with Brian’s family and friends during this difficult time.“
Born and raised in Queensland, Smith played for the Reds from 1985 to 1987, and debuted for the Wallabies under coach Alan Jones in 1987. He played six Tests for Australia, mostly at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Smith moved to England to attend Oxford and qualified to play Test rugby for Ireland; he played nine Tests for them between 1989 and 1991.
Smith returned home and switched codes when Jones became coach of the Balmain Tigers in 1991. Jones was a huge fan of Smith and believed him to be a superb footballer.
Smith played 37 games for Balmain, mostly as a five-eighth and halfback, and also played for the City representative side in 1992. He switched to Easts in 1994 and played another six games for the Roosters.
Smith poses for a portrait in 1992.Kylie Anee Pickett/Fairfax Media
Smith subsequently moved into coaching and built a distinguished career, with head coaching stints at Ricoh in Japan, Bath and London Irish in the English Premiership, and with stints coaching at the Waratahs, the Brumbies and with the Australian sevens side.
In 2008, he was an assistant coach with the England Test team.
After finishing with London Irish, Smith moved to Scots in 2015 and had worked at the school since, overseeing the schoolboy rugby of many future Waratahs, Wallabies and NRL stars.
Brian Smith playing for City Origin in 1992.Craig Golding/Fairfax Media
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said in a statement: “On behalf of the Australian Rugby community, I extend my sincere condolences to Brian’s family and his many friends and colleagues across Australia and around the world.
“Brian was an outstanding footballer and coach and remains the only player in history to have represented the Wallabies and Ireland at Test level. He was a skilful and versatile half who proudly wore the gold jersey during the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, scoring a famous first half try in the Wallabies’ quarter-final victory over Ireland.
“Brian’s coaching career spanned senior roles at international, provincial and schools level where he helped shape the careers of generations of players across Japan, the UK and Australia. He is fondly remembered by the Australian and global rugby communities as an outstanding teammate, mentor and friend. May he rest in peace.“
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Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners