By Aaron Wilson
It’s a new day for Seimou Smith, and the SaberCats.
A former college football standout at Southern Connecticut State University who previously played for Rugby United New York and the American Raptors, Smith has finally found what he was searching for.
He’s a vital part of a winning organization.
A former military service member, Smith embraces the discipline and camaraderie of the 10-1 SaberCats, the Western Conference division leaders.
“Being on a winning team, it’s just great,” Smith said. “I just have to do my job. I don’t have to worry about coaching or the staff. It’s really special. The guys are amazing and the coaching and the entire organization.”
Smith scored his first regular-season Major League Rugby try during a 23-22 victory over the Chicago Hounds and was honored as a first-team right wing for Week 12, also recording five carries, 73 meters made and one line break.
His game-winning score in the 60th minute off a Dominic Akina pitch helped the SaberCats tie their franchise record for wins in a season.
Signed this 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.
The narrow win over Chicago heading into a bye was significant.
“We fell asleep,” Smith said. “We’re not satisfied with this win. I know the boys aren’t. We had chances right before the try zone and we just couldn’t complete. We were playing outside of our DNA.”
The SaberCats stay fresh and healthy by alternating lineups for strategy and rest purposes.
“Everybody is taken care of,” Smith said. “We just have to trust the coaches. We have a lot of data and analytics behind what we do.”
And the plan of director Heyneke Meyer and coach Pote Human is working. The SaberCats are out in front in their bye week before returning to action next week against the Nola Gold on the road.
“This is crazy,” Smith said. “Everybody has their eyes on us. We can’t get down. We have a bye week. We have to make sure we’re still staying hungry during the bye week and come back strong.”
