Robert Smithies Explained

Robert Smithies
Fullname:Robert Smithies
Birth Date:26 February 1948
Birth Place:England
Club1:Balmain
Year1start:1969
Year1end:71
Appearances1:58
Tries1:14
Goals1:2
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:46
Club2:Hull KR
Year2start:1972
Year2end:76
Appearances2:55
Tries2:22
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:66
Updated:14 February 2019
Source:[1]

Robert Smithies (26 February 1948 – 5 November 2019)[2] was an English rugby league player who played in the 1960s and 1970s.

Playing career

Smithies came to Balmain from the Illawarra competition in 1969.

He played three seasons with Balmain between 1969 and 1971, before moving to England to play for Hull KR for five years making 54 appearances plus 1 substitute appearance, scoring 22 tries for 66 points.[3]

Smithies won a premiership with Balmain when he played full-back in the 1969 Grand Final.[4]

Smithies played in Hull Kingston Rovers' 16–13 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1974 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1974–75 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 26 October 1974.

Death

Smithies died on 5 November 2019, aged 71.[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bob Smithies - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. Web site: Vale Bob Smithies - NRL. 5 November 2019.
  3. News: Old Tigers greats gather to farewell their spiritual leader Peter Provan. Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia Of Rugby League Players. 1995
  5. Web site: Vale Bob Smithies. Nrl.com. 5 November 2019.
  6. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/illawarramercury-au/obituary.aspx?n=robert-smithies-bobby&pid=194388683&referrer=0&preview=True ROBERT "Bobby" SMITHIES