Conrad's law - skill, brains

Trained lawyer Conrad Smith uses his keen mind on the pitch to outwit the more powerful, brick-like opposition. Picture / Greg Bowker

In these days when power and muscle seem the pre-requisite to succeed on the field, Conrad Smith is something of a throwback.

He's able to chuckle when the topic turns to bulk and bulging muscles as he possesses neither.

What he does have, and what got him into the All Blacks last year, has kept him in the squad and now back in the starting XV for the final Lions test tomorrow, is skill.

Good hands, a thoughtful support player, a tidy if not ferocious tackler and a thinker.

It's not strictly relevant to being an All Black, but he clearly also possesses a nice self-deprecating wit and a sense of perspective.

"I've started going to the gym. Being a student I tried, but always found it a bit tough," the Victoria University law graduate said.

"I'm still the weakest player in the All Blacks. I'm a fitness trainer's dream because I haven't done any before so they can see the improvements as the weeks go by."

Smith reckons he's put on 10kg since starting out in the NPC in 2003 and has his sights on bench pressing 100kg to win a bet with his former Hurricanes and Wellington teammate, Jason Spice.

"It'll be one of the accomplishments of my life," he said.

"I always used to think it didn't matter too much. I tried to play without the size and use other elements in the game."

But he's discovered that it does help if he's got a bit more meat on the bones when it comes to retaining possession in a tackle.

It also helps in those moments smallish, light midfield backs dread: when there's no option but to run into a two-legged brick wall whose aim is to turn him into mush.

Meteoric could reasonably be applied to Smith's 2004 year.

He cracked the Hurricanes Super 12 squad but made just one appearance off the bench.

However, he had a strong NPC with Wellington, playing every match either at centre or second five-eighth.

He caught the attention of those who matter and before he knew it he was being fitted for an All Black blazer on the tour of Italy, Wales and France.

Smith made his debut against Italy in Rome, outside his provincial and All Black captain Tana Umaga.

Within a minute, he had his first try as the All Blacks eased their way to a 59-10 win.

He was not required against Wales but played the first 64 minutes of the fabulous French win in Paris.

"It seems a long time ago," he reflected yesterday.

"I was a lot different then, I was riding a high. It was beyond anything I'd expected so I just tried to do what I had been doing and enjoy it, and it worked out pretty well.

"Since then I've had a bit of time off, worked on my game and become more serious and professional.

"I'm a lot better player now and even though I haven't had the starts, that's more a reflection on the quality of the side. There's a lot of guys in the same situation, there's a lot of depth to our squad."

This year, Smith started nine of the Hurricanes' 12 matches on their march to the semifinal, which he missed through injury, and his combination with Umaga has worked a treat.

He was in against Fiji a few weeks back at Albany, but with all due respect to Fiji, this is different. Smith admitted it had been tough watching the first two games, itching to be involved.

"When they are playing that well it's always nice to be there yourself. Sitting on the sidelines you always hope you'll get a chance. A bit of luck has gone my way [Aaron Mauger's hamstring injury forcing a midfield rejig] and I've got to make the most of it."

Smith did plenty of watching in his first Super 12 season at the Hurricanes. He absorbed what was going on, learnt lessons and it sharpened his appreciation for proving a point when he got the chance.

Having his mate alongside tomorrow night won't hurt either. Umaga has proven he can stand up for himself well enough, but if he ever needs an advocate the budding lawyer is the man for the job.

"He's got it all. He's been around and he's such a marked man.

"During the Super 12 when maybe he didn't play his greatest games people would say it's near the end of his career.

"But for the big games there's no one else you'd rather have in your team. Ask any of the All Blacks, they'll tell you the same thing."

Some of the All Blacks like having a lawyer in the squad, too. Smith has discovered he's always put on the information committee - "they think just because you've got a law degree you know things no human would ever know," he says.

Smith, a nephew of All Black lock of the late 1960s Alan Smith, has the degree but has yet to complete his professionals, so has not been admitted to the Bar. He's working at a community law centre to get some experience.

His rugby experience goes up another notch tomorrow and there's no talk of easing off with the series won.

"Last week they played brilliantly and won the game well, but you could tell the job is still to be finished. I don't think any of us have looked at it as though it's over."

Conrad Smith

Born: December 10, 1981, Hawera
School: Francis Douglas Memorial College
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 87kg
Position: Centre
All Black debut: v Italy, Rome, November 2004
Tests: 3
Province: Wellington