Angus Bell, a prop for the Wallabies, has expressed heartfelt condolences following the passing of Brian Smith at the age of 59. Bell described Smith as “a great bloke, a great father, and a great coach” after the dual-code rugby star succumbed to cancer.
Brian Smith, who represented Australia in six rugby union Tests and switched allegiances to play nine Tests for Ireland, also had a career in the NRL with Balmain and Eastern Suburbs. In addition to his playing career, he coached rugby union across various countries and held the position of Australia’s sevens coach.
As news of Smith’s death emerged, Bell took the lead in honoring the legacy of the former dual rugby international. Smith had faced a battle with cancer before his passing. Notably, he made his debut for the Wallabies in 1987, where he played alongside Nick Farr-Jones and scored 18 points in a notable victory over South Korea.
Smith was recognized by former Wallabies coach Alan Jones as one of the most talented players in the sport. Most recently, he served as the Head of Sport at Scots College in Sydney, an institution that has produced many Wallabies, including Bell.
From the Wallabies’ training camp in Townsville, Bell reflected on the profound impact Smith had on his life and career. “He coached at Scots College and played a significant role in many of our developments,” Bell commented. “It’s a very sad time, and we send our best wishes to his wife and children. He was passionate about rugby and had a positive influence on many individuals in our squad and in the Wallabies today.”
Smith’s coaching career began at GPS and NSW schoolboys’ level when Bell was just 16. “I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have performed nearly as well without his guidance,” Bell remarked. “He was a fantastic individual—both as a father and a coach. This is truly heartbreaking news.”
Following his schoolboy rugby career with Australia, Smith made his Wallabies debut in 1987. He later took on coaching roles in Japan and England, where he contributed as the national team’s attack coach, along with his stint as Australia’s sevens coach.
Dr. Ian PM Lambert, principal of Scots College, communicated the sad news to the school community, noting, “Brian had been very unwell in recent months and was fighting an aggressive form of cancer. This is devastating news for our College community, and it will come as a shock to many who knew and worked closely with him. Our thoughts are with his wife Lisa and their children—daughters Ruby and Santana, and son Chilli.”
