John Burns Smith

John Burns Smith (26 September 1922 – 3 December 1974) was a New Zealand rugby union player, soldier, sportsman and baker. He was an All Black captain, and despite only playing nine matches (including four tests) is recognised as a great. His 26 appearances for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force rugby team (known as the Kiwis), which toured the UK in 1946–47, earned him high praise. He also played for the New Zealand Māori, being of Ngāpuhi descent.

All Black career Smith only played nine matches for the All Blacks, including four tests. His entire All Black career consists of series in or against Australia in 1946, 1947, and 1949. Smith's official All Black profile now attributes his non-selection to "the unforgivable weakness shown by New Zealand rugby in meeting South Africa's apartheid conditions".

While that team was away, Australia toured New Zealand, leading to the unusual situation of simultaneous All Black series in different countries. "The New Zealand Rugby Union ... decided that the 1949 matches against Australia would have full test status, even though the country's top 30 [white] players were in South Africa. One of the reasons for the decision was to not deprive test caps to three of the All Blacks, Johnny Smith, Ben Couch and Vince Bevan who were not considered for the South African tour because they were Maori. All three would surely have otherwise gone to South Africa."

Smith captained the All Black sides that faced Australia. Both tests were lost (including one on 3 September—the same day that the Springboks beat New Zealand in Durban). They were the last All Black matches that Smith played.

Recognition In 1949 Smith was the first recipient of the Tom French Cup, awarded to the Māori player of the year.

Smith was recognised as Northland Legend of Sport at the Northland Sports Awards in 2005.

Other sports Smith's wide-ranging sporting ability led to a national junior tennis title in the 1938-39 doubles (with Allan Burns), appearances for the Northland cricket team, and success as an amateur golfer. He attended Kaikohe Primary and then Kaikohe District High School. He was one of three children. His father Leslie was a baker who had served in World War I and played rugby for both South Auckland and North Island Country. His mother, Niria Takiwira, belonged to the Te Uri-o-Hua hapū of Ngāpuhi.

In 1946 he married Dorothy Robinson. They had four children, three of whom survived him (along with Dorothy) when he died in 1974. His son Glen won a national swimming title.