Former Norsewood boy rides high with Brumbies

Jordan Smiler, now a member of the Brumbies Super Rugby team, spent part of his life growing up in Norsewood.

When the Canberra-based Brumbies run out onto Napier's McLean Park in their Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes tomorrow night, a former Norsewood lad will be amongst them.

Brumbies loose forward Jordan Smiler lived in Norsewood for about four years while his dad George was the local policeman and resident Kathryn Mulinder said many would remember the family.

"George Smiler had a huge influence on the Norsewood School's cultural programme, alongside the late Peter Gilvray, who was school principal at the time," Mrs Mulinder said.

"Jordan's family left Norsewood for Hamilton when he was around 9 or 10."

Smiler began his professional rugby career playing for the Chiefs.

In 2011 he moved to Australia and was called into the Australian sevens team.

At the end of 2012 he took up a contract with the Brumbies.