All Blacks: Smith still top option at centre

Conrad Smith's influence on the backline is enormous. Photo / Getty Images

In 2011 a fascinating selection battle developed at fullback where the selectors had to determine whether to stick with the experience and accuracy of Mils Muliaina or inject the dynamic, enterprising Israel Dagg.

Dagg, who had the ability to beat defenders, to spark a counter attack and provide unpredictability proved irresistible in the end.

An uncannily similar battle is developing ahead of next year's World Cup: in this case the position is centre and the veteran is Conrad Smith, the emerging force Malakai Fekitoa.

The ending may be different, too. Youth is typically more alluring than experience. Pace and explosive power are typically qualities that most coaches value ahead of decision-making.

This All Black team is not typical, though. Composure under pressure and the ability to stay clear-headed are qualities in which the selectors place considerable value.

How many times have they dug themselves out of a hole in the last three years because they were smarter than their opponent?

How many times have they believed they could win when they had no business thinking like that?

Smith has played, and will continue to play, a huge part in this team's mental growth. His influence on the backline is enormous. He is the voice to which the backline listens when they are on the rack.

"He comes in and says what the backs are going to do and to be honest he keeps it pretty simple," says Aaron Smith.

"He communicates things really calmly and that helps me stay calm."

Statistics don't provide a true picture as to the extent of Smith's importance. His value is not so much the number of tackles he makes - but the quality of the tackles. He's labelled a great distributor and that's again because he knows when and how to release and while he doesn't make as many linebreaks as more powerful centres, he makes sure that when he does, the All Blacks are able to capitalise on them.

His game is all about quality, which is why it was such a surprise to see him exposed at Twickenham in the build-up to England's try.

Johnny May was able to stand up Smith and then burn him on the outside. It looked bad - May had him for pace and moments like that can often appear to be telling a story, can sometimes be the moment that something previously hidden comes to light.

But maybe not in this case. The All Blacks reviewed that try and concluded they didn't defend tightly enough as a unit and they didn't push up fast enough. Smith was caught cold, but nor was he helped much by those around him.

"Their winger did really well," said Ben Smith. "We got spread on defence and he did well. But at the same time that is something we have got to look at and try to solve that problem."

The fact Smith was taken off after 45 minutes, ran straight up the tunnel and left the tour the day after to attend to personal issues, suggests his head probably wasn't in the right place. To judge him on one missed tackle; on one average performance is to do him a massive disservice.

Smith's not a spent force at this level but he will face a stiff challenge from Fekitoa. At the moment, Smith's ability to utilise those around him and direct the play is worth more than Fekitoa's explosive linebreaking.

Fekitoa is still prone to defensive misreads - he's the more powerful tackler but the less accurate defender.

He's the stronger ball carrier, the more likely to make something happen. But with those higher rewards come higher risks and the consistent accuracy of Smith, his experience and his big game temperament make him, for now, the best option at centre.