Reds toast Smith lining up for debut

SUPER RUGBY

RUGBY UNION CHAMPION flanker George Smith has revealed that tonight’s debut for the Reds has arrived 17 years after he first knocked back overtures to head to Brisbane.

The indomitable Smith’s career would have veered in a different direction had he not rejected advances from the Reds after his eye-catching debut in 1999 and again in 2007.

Tonight’s clash with the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium does not mark a wind-down to retirement because Smith can only play at full throttle, even at 36.

This recruit has no bitsand-pieces season planned like last year’s eight-game flop Ayumu Goromaru or the notry stint by James O’Connor in 2015.

“I played my last game for Queensland at 36 so the age thing means nothing for George, who I think will have a terrific effect on the Reds,” the former fiery flanker said.

Smith was a 19-year-old pest in dreadlocks when he trialled and starred on debut for the ACT Brumbies against the Reds in an end-of-season game in 1999.

Reds coach John Connolly spoke to Smith but an offer did not eventuate because the Reds had David Wilson as their No.1 flanker and David Croft on the way up.

“There were a few talks back then but the concrete offer came from Eddie Jones for 2007 when he coached the Reds,” Smith said.

“I was pretty keen because I liked Brisbane but in the end I was enjoying life with the Brumbies, playing decent footy and I said ‘no’ to Eddie.’’