set default selection for smart table. Check: http://plnkr.co/edit/ImstnnRdtpaL4z1XQGG2?p=info

stDefaultSelection.js

app.directive('stDefaultSelection', function() {
  return {
    require: 'stTable',
    restrict: 'A',
    scope: {
      selection: '=stDefaultSelection',
    },
    link: function link(scope, element, attrs, controller) {
      var pagination = null,
        hasLoaded = false,
        selectionMode = 'single';
        
      if (scope.selection != null) {
        scope.$watch(function() {
          pagination = controller.tableState().pagination;
  
          if (pagination != null && pagination.number != null && hasLoaded == false) {
           var rows = controller.getFilteredCollection(),
              indexOfRow = angular.isNumber(scope.selection) ? scope.selection : rows.indexOf(scope.selection),
              finalPage = Math.ceil(indexOfRow / pagination.number) - 1; // starts at zero
              
            // select row  
            controller.select(rows[indexOfRow], selectionMode);
  
            if (indexOfRow > -1) {
              controller.slice(finalPage * pagination.number, pagination.number);
              hasLoaded = true;
            }
          }
        }, true);
      }
    }
  };
});