And a hooker is a hooker. Centre, on the other hand, is the most athletically-technically difficult position in the game with the possible exception of openside flanker. If Conrad Smith goes under a bus (God forbid ... ) or is sidelined by long-term injury (ditto), the backstop seems to be Ben Smith. He was not convincing on the All Blacks' end of year tour last season. He got better as the tour progressed, for certain, but that's because he is a class player; he'd probably do pretty well at hooker ...
But it was clear that centre was not an instinctively good fit for him. Now he isn't even playing there; isn't learning the rhythms of the game there. It could be argued there will be enough tests between now and the end of this season (nine - three against England and six in the Rugby Championship, then the end of year tour) for the Highlander to slot comfortably into the job.
But you get the distinct feeling that the All Black selectors would be wise to anoint other successors. Smith's biggest issue at 13 was defence. Not that he is a poor tackler or anything like that. It's simply that the defensive demands of the position require anticipation, instant recognition and cool decision-making - exactly the sort of thing Conrad Smith serves up so effortlessly that we don't even notice him doing it half the time. His instincts, defensive tightness, tidying up and accuracy is like honey dripping off a spoon.
Julian Savea and Smith are also the two best wingers around (on All Black form, anyway). Cory Jane has yet to impress in his return and even though Charles Piutau has made a good fist of the wing for the All Blacks, he's another whose best position appears to be fullback.
There are three other good reasons for returning Smith to the wing (or fullback):
Ryan Crotty - he seems to have been around forever but is still only 25 and has nearly 70 Super Rugby appearances. More importantly, he didn't look out of place in the All Black tour at the end of last year, even though most have previously felt his best spot is 12, not 13. He'll likely never be a game-breaker or the type of midfield magician who can change a match with a piece of unscripted brilliance but he is well organised, does the basics efficiently, is a strong support player and may be a better bet than Ben Smith. His match-winning try against Ireland can be put aside in this assessment but shows his ability to read a game and a movement.
Robbie Fruean - it's still too early to tell whether this talented player has indeed benefited from recent surgery fixing the heart defects behind his inability to sustain a presence in a match; often drifting out of things as his heart condition left him exhausted. Fruean has been saying he feels much better and stronger after a second operation but must wait until a medical probe into heart palpitations suffered during Friday night's game decide whether he should travel to South Africa with the team. He remains a work in progress when it comes to defining if he can progress with his work. If he can, he will be a powerful candidate.
Sonny Bill Williams (remember him?) will be back in 2015 and could fix the problem all by himself. Not by playing him at 13 but because he will so concern defences at 12 that the All Blacks could shift Ma'a Nonu to centre, try Francis Saili there, maybe even re-position Piutau (who looks like he could make a more than passable 13) or even play Smith, Crotty or another. Sonny Bill gives them options. In fact, you get the feeling the All Blacks could play Judith "Crusher" Collins at centre with SBW there. On attack, she could promote the ball. As opposed to endorsing it.
