By Aaron Wilson
When Seimou Smith joined the SaberCats, he knew he had reached something of a crossroads in his rugby career.
After previous stints with the American Raptors and Rugby United New York after playing wide receiver at Southern Connecticut State, Smith was determined to make the most of this opportunity.
Mission accomplished.
Smith, 27, scored his first Major League Rugby try against the Chicago Hounds and was recognized as first-team right wing by the league. He emerged as more and more of a scoring threat as the season went on for the SaberCats, who went 14-2 during the regular season for the top record in the league and won the Western Conference division title.
“Man, for me, I was fighting for my career, fighting for more opportunity,” Smith said after the SaberCats’ season ended with a semifinal playoff loss to the Dallas Jackals. “I have aspirations to play for Team USA and to compete for my country one day. I felt like I needed this pathway.”
A former military service member, Smith embraced the discipline and camaraderie of the SaberCats. He can’t wait for next season to make another run at the shield.
“After losing this game and still seeing the big support and love from the fans, along with dealing with all these expectations and the weight on our shoulders to do well and create more memories for the club, my intention is to get back there and get the job done for the fans,” Smith said. “I want to be more ruthless and lethal for the people of Houston. They deserve another championship team like the Astros.
“Myself, I don’t think that was my best game. It’s time to go back to the drawing board and take away distractions and add things that are going to help us. We need to be even more focused individually and as a team. With most of us coming back next year, we can be even better.”
Smith’s game-winning score aagainst Chicago in the 60th minute off a Dominic Akina pitch helped the SaberCats tie their franchise record for wins in a season, They wound up setting the franchise record and were the top seed entering the postseason.
Signed last offseason, Smith, 27, (6-1, 205), played 440 minutes in six starts with two tries for the American Raptors during the 2023 Super Rugby Americas season.
“I’m an aerial specialist,” Smith said. “When the kick is up, I go and get it. Effort, defense, just being a soldier out there and leading by example. The thing that’s so beautiful about this team is we have so much depth. It’s on the coaches to put out the best side.”
Smith played 160 minutes in two starts for Rugby United New York in 2019.
Born in Conakry, Guinea, Smith grew up in Concord, New Hampshire where he was a three-sport athlete who lettered in football, basketball and track. He was in the concert and jazz bands and a member of the Boy Scouts.
An all-conference football and rugby player, he was a USA Rugby Division II Collegiate All-American selection who has also played for Bulldog Rugby, Old Toe, New Haven Old Blacks and the Brooklyn Kings.
Now, Smith is looking forward to next season and he intends to stay sharp this offseason.
“We took all the necessary steps,” Smith said. “We prepared ourselves to be champions. We knew what we needed to do, but that’s the nature of sport. Once you get out there, it’s on you. It’s just tough because we had all the pieces. This setback only motivates me and the entire organization to come back strond and finish the job.”
