For a fast mover, David Smith has had to accept his rugby milestones often tend to take time.
Swiftly proclaimed as a potential superstar after his provincial debut for Auckland in 2006, the stocky wing finally makes the 50th appearance of his Super rugby career when the Force host the
Crusaders in Perth tomorrow night.
Smith, still just 24, has not quite lived up to that hype during a career that has seen him represent the Blues and Hurricanes - plus Wellington and Taranaki - before signing with the Force last November.
Willie Ripia's decision to join the Force's Kiwi contingent in 2011 influenced Smith's move to Western Australia and it is just as well the flatmates - and teammates at the Hurricanes and Taranaki - have bonded given the setbacks they have experienced this season.
They have not yet made the impact they anticipated, but approaching the 11th-round match at NIB Stadium they are starting to justify the faith shown in them by head coach Richard Graham.
A foot injury delayed first five-eighths Ripia's debut until a heavy loss to the Waratahs on April 10, a 31-3 defeat that included Smith being sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle on Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale.
That censure added to Smith's angst at again failing to score for the Force. Fortunately a floated Ripia pass in Canberra the following Sunday allowed Smith to snap the longest tryless spell he can recall.
A second touchdown with a minute remaining against the Brumbies also boosted his confidence until a hamstring strain ruled him out of last weekend's win over the Bulls.
Smith has now recovered from the leg injury and starts on the left wing. "It's taken me nine weeks to cross the line. I've never gone that long without scoring," Smith said, glad to show Force fans what he is capable of.
- NZPA
