Who’s the most important player for the All Blacks’ defence of the Rugby World Cup? Many would nominate either if not both of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter (provided they hit peak form come September, of which All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has little doubt). Some might even say Beauden Barrett is the man to watch. Indeed, all three players might feature prominently. But, for this column, there can only be one name on the list - Conrad Smith.
The 33-year-old All Blacks first-choice centre since 2008 - a six-month break during the 2013 end-of-year tour aside - has been quietly steering the Kiwis around for several seasons now. He has been going about his work quietly, efficiently and without fanfare. While his more fleet-footed teammates get most of the applause, make no mistake - Smith, in the prolonged absence of Dan Carter, is the All Black team’s primary central processing unit. He’s the player who holds the team together, the steady pair of hands allowing Hansen to swap around fly-halves, inside centres and full-backs with the team barely skipping a beat. Smith has been the constant, the central and crucial pillar of decision-making and real-time game information dissemination in the team post-McCaw and Carter. And he’s the reason why it won’t matter if McCaw and Carter don’t come good for the September. In fact, Smith is the one player the All Blacks simply cannot afford to lose.
And the Super 15 ladder-leading Hurricanes can’t afford to lose him either. With five rounds left before the play-offs, the perennially underachieving Wellington-based side is 10 points clear of a hard-chasing pack, including defending champs the Waratahs, the only team to beat the Hurricanes this season. Of course, the Hurricanes of 2015 are a wonderfully well-balanced side. The scintillating form of Barrett, Ma’a Nonu, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Brad Shields, and Julian and Ardie Savea, among many others, should be given due credit. However, the Hurricanes have always had some of the best players in NZ on their books. While they’ve made the play-offs five times and even a final, most would agree they’ve never looked anything like out and out champions. That’s no longer the case. And a lot of that is down to how Smith has led the team, including off the field following the troubled reign of coach Mark Hammett. Indeed was it not for Smith, the Hurricanes may well have wilted for a season or two before the discontent dissipated. The Hurricanes are the real deal this year and should now be considered strong favourites for the title as long as Smith is on the field. Ditto for the All Blacks and their World Cup defence in September.
Alas, having sung the Hurricanes’ praises, that’s not to say the Chiefs won’t beat them this weekend. The top of the NZ conference clash is the game of the round. But results for the Hurricanes here on in need to be viewed in the context of their 10-point buffer over the Chiefs. The Hurricanes have a margin of error to time their run into the play-offs and a most likely home semi-final; a decision to rest and rotate won’t come as a surprise. In the Australian conference, it’s game on for the Waratahs and Brumbies for top conference spot. The Brumbies should have won against the Stormers last week, while the Waratahs would be filthy at their newly-acquired status as bunnies for a team in wooden spoon contention, the Western Force. The Rebels, meanwhile, are clinging to hopes of a maiden play-off appearance. They might not go all the way, but should have more than enough for the Reds this weekend.
Super Rugby Round 14 (AEDT)
Friday May 15
Blues v Bulls - 5.35pm
Reds v Rebels - 7.35pm
Saturday May 16
Hurricanes v Chiefs - 5.35pm
Waratahs v Sharks - 7.40pm
Sunday May 17
Lions v Brumbies - 1.05am
Cheetahs v Highlanders - 3.10am
