NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport

Rugby: Mr Smith goes to Washington

Wynne Gray
By Wynne Gray
NZ Herald·
6 Feb, 2014 04:30 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Chris Smith has played 50 games for North Harbourl now he's off to work with the NFL. Photo / Getty Images

Chris Smith has played 50 games for North Harbourl now he's off to work with the NFL. Photo / Getty Images

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Seven years of study pay off for a North Harbour star with a golden opportunity to combine his love of law and rugby

Like the tortoise and hare fable, slow and steady delivers rewards. It was circumstance for Chris Smith as he pursued a rugby career which ran parallel to his law studies.

There were several seasons with the Junior All Blacks, stints with the Blues and more than 50 games for North Harbour, mainly at lock.

Around that love of rugby, Smith chipped away at his law degree, and after seven years of part-time graft and a year for his professional exams he was admitted to the bar a few months ago.

While doing some of his practical work on the collective negotiations for the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association, Smith mentioned that he would like to work in the United States under the recent graduates' scheme.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

General manager Rob Nichol had a few contacts and after some inquiries, Smith left last night to work in Washington DC with the NFL Players' Association's legal team.

He also intends to continue his rugby career and hopes to link up with former Takapuna clubmate Marty Veale, who is involved with the New York Old Blue side.

"He sent me a picture of all the snow in New York and told me to enjoy my last few days of summer," Smith said.

"I made sure I watched the Super Bowl to know what was going on but after that result all I need to say is something about a blow-out."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Smith had a mate who worked as a graduate in the US, and figured it would suit him as well.

"I thought I would take advantage of my situation and it is really exciting to be working in the States and also being able to play rugby there. It is a chance to work there and not go away from rugby completely.

"I am there definitely for eight months, and then I have a few other options.

"I'm not closing the door on any options and I would still like to play for Harbour again in the future."

Discover more

Super Rugby

Marshall to start in Sydney

05 Feb 02:40 AM
Super Rugby

Fastest man in rugby stays for Sevens

05 Feb 08:14 PM
Super Rugby

Rugby: Popoali'i to miss Super season

06 Feb 03:51 AM
Super Rugby

Rugby: Migraine sufferer Kerr gets his head together at Blues

06 Feb 04:30 PM

The NFL has 105 employees and Smith will be part of the players' association legal team.

"They are governed a lot by their collective agreement so it will be a lot of maintenance of that and legal counsel, but apart from that broad spectrum I don't know any specifics about the job."

Smith suspects he will be drawn into the rising debates and claims about concussion which will be useful research for the NZRPA and its work on the topic in New Zealand.

"The best thing when you tell people what you are about to do is their look of amazement. It is not something you hear of every day and especially adding in the rugby in the weekends in New York - that is a great addition," said Smith.

The Old Blues club has a strong base and one of its members, Adam Siddal, played at Takapuna a few years ago and is now the Eagles starting five eighths.

Smith said his visa allowed him to play club rugby but nothing more.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

He hoped to be in the US when the All Blacks play a match on their way to Europe on their end-of-year tour.

"I just want to help where I can and get involved with the game whether that is coaching kids or whatever as part of trying to grow the game," he said.

"It is just a great time. It took me seven years to get my degree and then do the bar exams after that while playing some rugby. I wouldn't change anything about it.

"This is not something I can put on hold because the visa is a once-in-a- lifetime chance and to get that working with the NFL organisation, is an amazing opportunity.

"The thing about studying law and meeting people along the way, it reaffirms that it can take you in a lot of directions.

"It teaches you a way to think which is good for specialist, corporate or employment law practice. It teaches you to think broadly and can take you all sorts of places."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

For Smith, that destination is the NFL legal headquarters, about a block from the White House.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Sport

Herald NOW

Newbies likely to make debut in All Blacks test in Dunedin

Tennis

'Alone' Zverev considers therapy after shock Wimbledon exit

01 Jul 09:24 PM
All Blacks

Dropped All Blacks loose forward re-signs with Crusaders

01 Jul 09:09 PM

There’s more to Hawai‘i than beaches and buffets – here’s how to see it differently

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Sport

Newbies likely to make debut in All Blacks test in Dunedin

Newbies likely to make debut in All Blacks test in Dunedin

NZ Herald Rugby Correspondent Liam Napier on the build-up ahead of Saturday's All Blacks test against France in Dunedin. Video / Herald NOW

'Alone' Zverev considers therapy after shock Wimbledon exit

'Alone' Zverev considers therapy after shock Wimbledon exit

01 Jul 09:24 PM
Dropped All Blacks loose forward re-signs with Crusaders

Dropped All Blacks loose forward re-signs with Crusaders

01 Jul 09:09 PM
'Doesn't make sense': Red Bull adviser rules out Lawson swap

'Doesn't make sense': Red Bull adviser rules out Lawson swap

01 Jul 08:32 PM
From early mornings to easy living
sponsored

From early mornings to easy living

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP