Wilson ranks Smith the number one No.7

David Wilson, George Smith’s long-time predecessor in the Wallabies‘ No.7 jersey, has no doubt: Smith stands as the best flanker in Australian history.

Well placed to judge, Wilson was the most-capped back-rower before Smith came along as a dreadlocked ball-scavenger a decade ago to make a seamless transition.

The remarkably durable and multi-talented 110-Test veteran then spent 10 years as one of Australia’s few world-class players before stunning all and sundry on Friday by announcing his international retirement.

Smith won two John Eales Medals, eight Brumbies player of the season awards, played in two World Cups, won two Super rugby titles and was a stand-out in the Wallabies’ first triumph over the British Lions in 2001 at just 20.

But more than that, according to Wilson, Smith took open-side flanker play to a whole new level in his time under national coaches Rod Macqueen, Eddie Jones, John Connolly and Robbie Deans.

“To play 10 years at that level in that position for 110 Tests is an amazing feat,” said the Queenslander, who retired in 2000 just months before Smith made his Test debut.

“There’s no doubt he’s one of the best Wallabies we’ve ever had.”

A 1999 World Cup champion who played 79 Tests, Wilson stands with Grand Slam and World Cup-winner Simon Poidevin and post-WWII great Col Windon as the Wallabies’ best flankers of the 20th century.

But he has no hesitation in putting the 29-year-old on the highest pedestal.

“Absolutely,” Wilson told AAP. “He’s a lot better player than I was.

“He’s taken the level of open-side play to another level and set a new benchmark.

“Rather than just being a link player and being really fit to get around the paddock and be strong on the ball at the breakdown, he added another dimension.

“He had skills like a back. He had great hands and great vision and could create things with ball in hand.”

But Smith, described by ARU boss John O’Neill as one of the most unique players in Australian history, had to make his mark the hard way.

A Manly junior, he had to leave Sydney, and the shadow of preferred Australian Under-19 teammate Phil Waugh, for Canberra to get his chance.

Smith and Waugh, both Test captains, battled throughout their distinguished careers for the same jersey.

At times under Jones they were chosen to play in tandem, a ploy which helped reap one of the biggest upsets of the decade when the Wallabies stung New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup semi-final.

Connolly finds it hard to separate Smith, Waugh and All Black Richie McCaw as the best Test flankers in world rugby this decade.

“You would have to say he’s one of the best of all-time,” he said.

“Australia has been blessed, we had Wilson for 70-80 Tests and then we’ve had Smith and Waugh, so for the last 15 years we’ve been blessed.

“The best thing is that they improved each other – Smith is as good as he is because of Waugh and vice-versa, they really played off each other.”

Smith was never a brilliant athlete and, despite his non-stop efforts on the field, rated modestly in beep tests.

But he stunned coaches, teammates and rivals alike with his toughness, tenacity and ability to play hurt under heavy fire at the breakdown.

“Smith’s durability during his career was astonishing,” Connolly said.

“I can remember him getting cut, going off injured and getting needled (to go back on) and at the finish of the game he looked as fresh as when he started.

“It was an amazing performance.

“He never complained about anything. He always aimed up. He was always there to train and always aimed up.”

While Deans has shown his hand by grooming young gun David Pocock to start at the 2011 World Cup, Smith’s stand-out display against Wales two months ago showed he was still at the top of his game.

“No doubt, anyone who watched his last involvement in the Wallaby jersey, it was a remarkable performance,” Deans said.

GEORGE SMITH
Born: July 14, 1980
Height: 180cm
Weight: 104kg
Position: Flanker

Test debut: vs France, 2000
Test caps: 110 (45 points, 9 tries)
Super 14 debut: vs Sharks, 2000
Super 14 caps: 120 (75 pts, 15 tries)

* 2003 and 2007 Wallabies World Cup member
* Won two John Eales medals
* Won eight Brett Robinson Awards as the player’s player of the year at the Brumbies
* Is the most capped forward in Australian history and second most capped player in Wallabies history behind George Gregan (139)
* Is the most capped openside forward in the history of rugby union
* Was the youngest player to win 100 Test caps at 29 years, four days against New Zealand in Auckland in 2009
* Became Australia’s 75th Test captain by leading his country against Canada in the 2007 World Cup
* Won the 2004 Super 14 title with the Brumbies

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