My rugby hero: Conrad Smith

Colin Newboult

We dig through the archives to highlight a hero from years gone by. Next up, it’s All Blacks and Hurricanes legend Conrad Smith.

Player background

Conrad Gerard Smith was born on 12 October, 1981 in Hāwera, a place in the Taranaki region of New Zealand, and is remembered as one of the best centre’s of his generation. In his early days, the back was renowned as a well-balanced runner who had an eye for a gap and enough pace to weave his way through the first-up defence, but that gradually changed over time. As age caught up and the speed reduced, Smith adapted his game and used his rugby intellect to great effect.

The Hurricanes man duly became undroppable at international level with his leadership qualities, decision-making and skill set proving to be invaluable to the All Blacks’ cause. Smith provided the perfect foil for Ma’a Nonu, whose game-breaking abilities took the pressure off the centre when it came to producing the eye-catching moments.

Quiet and unassuming off the pitch, he brought that calmness to his on-field actions which were always done efficiently. Nicknamed ‘Snakey’ for his ability to slither through gaps, Smith was a joy to watch earlier in his career and, after his first season of Super Rugby, he received a call-up to the New Zealand squad for their tour to the northern hemisphere.

He never quite cemented his place, however, and a broken leg in 2006 hampered his development, but Graham Henry still named him in the World Cup squad for the 2007 tournament. Smith was a peripheral part of the team during that disastrous campaign but he soon became a firm fixture in the first XV. In 2008, the ‘Canes back got his opportunity for a consistent run in the side and it paid off as he and Nonu formed one of the great Test partnerships.

They started together as the All Blacks ended 24 years of hurt by lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011 before they appeared for the 50th time as a combination in September 2013. He would take a sabbatical soon after that and the break did him good as Smith returned in fine form as New Zealand won the global tournament for the third time. In total, the back earned 94 caps, won two World Cups and eight Tri-Nations/Rugby Championships.

His rugby moment

Smith achieved many great things on a rugby field through his talent and hard work, but perhaps the centre’s greatest trait was his ability to never take a backwards step. There were more gifted athletes in rugby and players who did the spectacular on a more regular occurrence, but Smith always stood up when his team needed him.

In 2009, the All Blacks weren’t in a particularly great place. They had suffered a shock home defeat to France and had struggled in their Tri-Nations opener against Australia, edging to a 22-16 victory. Then came a match with a fearsome South African outfit that had just won the series versus the British and Irish Lions 2-1. They were in form and had a squad that was settled and experienced, meaning that for the first time in a while the All Blacks were outsiders.

Unsurprisingly, the Springboks controlled most of the first half in Bloemfontein and were ahead 17-3 early in the second period. The visitors needed some sort of inspiration and Smith was the man that provided it. Receiving the ball 35 metres out having seen his team-mate get smashed in the tackle, the centre stepped inside the great Jean de Villiers, handed off fly-half Morne Steyn and charged towards the line. There were still several covering defenders but he kept them guessing and eventually held off the attentions of JP Pietersen and Frans Steyn to touch down.

New Zealand did end up losing that game but if there was a moment which epitomised the brilliance of Smith, it was that score. Yes, there were the World Cup wins, the try against the Lions in 2005 and, in general, outstanding performances in his 93 other caps, but the Hurricanes man was always reliable on the field and that’s what he showed in that encounter. He was the defensive leader in the All Blacks backline, an intelligent player with ball in hand and knitted everything together brilliantly.