Hurricanes

Bio

Conrad Smith ended the 2011 as a Rugby World Cup winner, playing an integral role in the All Blacks’ campaign and ending his eighth season playing for New Zealand with 55 Test caps to his name. Smith’s 2011 Super Rugby season was cut short due to injury, but when available he started in seven matches and enters 2012 as one of the first picks on Hurricanes teamlists.

Previously, specialist centre Smith played a full part in the Hurricanes’ 2010 season, surpassing 50 appearances for the franchise early in the year and missing just two matches. Smith’s partnership with second five-eighth Ma’a Nonu in the midfield once again proved an effective one and Smith himself was a rock on defence and creator on attack. He was duly selected in the All Blacks for the rest of the year, ending 2010 with 43 Test caps and 18 Test tries to his name.

This followed on from an outstanding 2009 Super 14 season for the Hurricanes, alongside Nonu and also scoring five tries himself. Blessed with tremendous vision, excellent distribution skills and a committed, fearless defensive game, Smith was recognised as the first choice centre for the All Blacks.

Smith’s rise was meteoric, shooting from the Wellington Bs into the All Blacks in a little over eighteen months. Known as Snaky Smith for his ability to slip through a gap, Conrad’s rapid success was largely due to him being the antithesis of modern centres. Only slightly built and with a propensity for brain over brawn Smith was like a breath of fresh air, bringing speed and vision and an uncanny ability to exploit half chances.

He first graced the Vodafone Wellington Lions squad in 2003 and played himself into the starting fifteen. The Hurricanes selectors gave him a berth in 2004, where he made one appearance off the bench against the Cats.

After another eye-catching NPC season for the Lions he made the All Blacks’ spring tour to Europe, scoring a try with his first touch of the ball against Italy, while his second test was the All Blacks’ famous 45-6 victory over France.

Returning home, Smith made ten appearances for the Hurricanes in 2005, in midfield partnership with Tana Umaga, before being selected for four home tests in 2005, including the 38-19 win over the British and Irish Lions in Auckland.   

Smith was set for a big year in 2006, but cruelly broke his leg against the Western Force in round two of the Super 14, ruling him out for the entire campaign. He came back to make the All Blacks end of year tour, again playing in big wins over France and Wales. Injury restricted his Hurricanes season in 2007, but he was reselected for New Zealand in May 2007 and scored three tries in as many matches at the World Cup.

He played a full part in the 2008 Hurricanes campaign and took the field in every match, form that saw him make the All Blacks in June 2008 - setting up a brilliant try in the first Test of the year against Ireland in Wellington with a typical scything run.

Smith is a qualified lawyer, was an age-group cricket representative in his home province of Taranaki, his uncle Alan Smith was a three-test All Black between 1967-1970, his great uncle Jack Walter played seven matches for New Zealand in 1925 and his brother Nathan represented Taranaki in 2001.

Stats

Provincial Teams

Wellington

Provincial Points

60 (12 tries)

Provincial Caps

43

Provincial Debut

2003 v Bay of Plenty

Super Rugby Caps

66

Super Rugby Points

45 (9 tries)

Super Rugby Debut

2004 v Cats

Test Caps

55

Test Points

105 (21 tries)

Test Debut

2004 v Italy

All Blacks Career

2004 – present

Rugby facts

Earliest Rugby Memory

Playing prop for Hawera

Position When Younger

First Five Eighth

Most Admired Rugby Player

Zinzan Brooke

Biggest Rugby Influence

Tana Umaga

Most Memorable Rugby Moment

Winning Bledisloe and Tri Nations (Brisbane 2008)