Rugby: Reluctant flanker one of the best

George Smith is highly rated by Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty Images

George Smith will reluctantly lead out the Wallabies on to Eden Park on Saturday.

Reluctant because he's not one to court attention, preferring to be somewhere in the background while his team-mates hold centre stage.

But Smith won't be able to avoid it next weekend in the opening Tri Nations test against the All Blacks because the 28-year-old will become just the 10th international player, and fourth Australian, to play 100 tests.

He joins an exclusive list of Wallabies behind George Gregan (139), Stephen Larkham (102) and David Campese (102) to bring up a century.

There are many reasons behind his longevity, not least of all because he's the best openside flanker to come out of Australia.

Richie McCaw certainly thinks so. The All Blacks captain has battled Smith to the breakdown since they were juniors.

"Consistently, he has been the best [I've marked]," McCaw was reported as saying. "Every time I've marked him, you know he's out there and you know you are in for a good battle. It's huge to play 100 tests.

"He's only my age, and I remember playing him when I was in the under-19s against Australia and remember then thinking just what a good player he is. I take my hat off to him."

Most people do.

He's a quiet individual both on and off the field and it's why he is more worried about small matters like winning a Bledisloe Cup match in Auckland for the first time in 23 years than any personal milestone.

Smith will reach the century mark despite having battled NSW rival Phil Waugh for the Australian No 7 jersey for, appropriately enough, the first seven years of his test career.

"It's always been a healthy rivalry," Smith told The Australian. "We definitely try to better each other. Having him alongside me has brought the standard of our training and play up."

Smith has been first-choice under Robbie Deans' tenure and has been helped by the fact he has remained largely injury-free throughout his career, despite playing in one of the most demanding of positions.

"When I first came into professional rugby I was very gung-ho in the way that I approached each ruck," he said. "I'd be at every ruck. If I kept doing that, I would definitely have had a number of injuries.

"I've matured and I'm experienced enough to know when to attack a ruck and when not to."

Smith will afford himself a moment's reflection on Saturday, when he runs out in front of 12 members of his family who will make the trek across the Tasman to Eden Park.

"It's going to be a special occasion for myself and the people who have supported me. I'll be thinking about them and my family," Smith said before thinking about more pressing matters. "Hopefully, we'll win."