George Smith

CA Brumbies interim captain and openside flanker George Smith will run on for his 100th Super Rugby match for the CA Brumbies on Friday night. Smith started his career as a dreadlocked teenager in 2000 and has grown into one of the province’s finest rugby exports. Having been part of two Super 12 title wins, winning the John Eales Medal, two Australian Super 14 Player of the Year awards, six Brett Robinson Award for CA Brumbies Players Player and selection in the Wallabies’ Team of the Decade, the 100-match milestone is one of the last accolades that awaits arguably the best flanker in world rugby. Brumby Jack caught up with Smith prior to the Cheetahs match.

Brumby Jack: What have been your favourite memories of your 100 games?
George Smith: The Super 12 finals that we won were definitely special moments. The hard work we put in in 2000 to lose before winning in 2001 felt like justice for the way we played footy and players we had in the team.
 
BJ: Has there been any one moment in any game when you’ve made a single tackle or thrown a key pass and thought ‘that’s one of my best’?
GS: I don’t know. I really enjoyed scoring my first try in the 2000 final in Canberra and I couldn’t actually believe that I got through there. I think that would be my favourite and getting a glimpse of winning that title but it wasn’t to be.

BJ: What’s been your secret for staying on the field?
GS: A lot of people think it’s the fat that I carry so that I can absorb the hits that I take. I just enjoy the game and try to prepare in the best possible way for each game.

BJ: Will Friday night’s match feel any different to the 99 other matches that you’ve played?
GS: In my first game I was very nervous and very edgy but once you’re out there your nerves calm and you just focus on the game. I don’t think it’ll change that much. It’ll just be a matter of focusing on what needs to be done again and hopefully leading the team to a victory.

BJ: The Cheetahs have been unlucky in their first few rounds of the competition with a series of narrow losses. What is the key to beating them?
GS: We need to dominate our set piece and be consistently getting over the gain line. If we’re controlling the game then I think that’ll go a long way towards winning.