His Wallabies swansong didn’t go as planned but George Smith is aiming to leave Australian rugby with a fairytale ending for the Brumbies.
The 33-year-old will equal fellow legends Stephen Larkham and George Gregan’s club record of five Super Rugby championship game appearances when his side takes on the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.
A win would be the perfect send off for the 112-Test veteran who was instrumental in the Brumbies’ Super Rugby dynasty at the turn of the century.
He has been equally pivotal in his Suntory club’s two All-Japan championship wins in 2011 and 2012.
But his stellar return to Super Rugby after two and a half years playing overseas ranks up with all his achievements – even though he was never meant to factor so heavily in the Brumbies’ campaign when originally loaned for 12 weeks by Suntory.
The deal was extended when Wallabies flanker David Pocock suffered a season-ending injury in round four and Smith has been outstanding for the side ever since.
He was man-of-the-match in both last weekend’s shock 26-23 semi-final upset of the Bulls in Pretoria and the 15-13 quarter final win against the Cheetahs.
Smith was simply on another level against the Bulls, making moves at the breakdown akin to a matador.
On two occasions he let overly keen opponents rush past him in cleanout attempts, re-entering the ruck once they’d passed to steal the ball.
“I’ve coached against George and coached George now, and he’s got to be one of the greatest players,” said Brumbies coach Jake White, who was South Africa’s World Cup winning mentor in 2007.
“At 33 he was man of the match in a semi-final when it really counts. That epitomises what George is like.”
The Brumbies will need another Smith breakdown masterclass to have any chance of toppling defending champions the Chiefs.
He’s up against two class openside opponents in Tanarau Latimer and benched All Black Sam Cane but few would doubt he can come out on top again.
And while he didn’t get the Wallabies send-off he was hoping for in the lost British and Irish Lions series decider last month, he’ll have a second bite at the cherry on Saturday.
“I definitely don’t think I’ve harmed (my legacy) in anyway,” Smith said.
“I believe it is my last Super Rugby game. To go out with a win in the final will be magnificent.
“Hopefully it can be a fairytale.”
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