All Blacks centre Conrad Smith thinks two halves of rugby after an injury break will be enough for him to be ready to face the Wallabies.
Smith, who hasn’t played since breaking his thumb against England in the Dunedin Test in mid-June, is likely to return for Wellington against Manawatu on Friday, where he is set to play for 40 minutes.
He’ll then have another 40 minutes in an All Blacks practice game against Northland and North Harbour in Albany next week before heading into the first Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies on August 16.
He’d prefer to play more in the All Blacks practice match, but the 32-year-old veteran of 77 Tests says that will have him ready to take on a Wallabies side expected to be a tougher proposition than they were in 2013.
“For me, I’ve been playing long enough that hopefully two halves of rugby will be enough to get me back up to speed,” he told media at an All Blacks training camp on Auckland’s North Shore on Wednesday.
Smith said the thumb injury wasn’t something he wanted but it had given him a breather which is likely to help him for the Rugby Championship.
“They don’t always come along. You just try and make the most of it and I enjoyed getting away from the game for a couple of weeks and then doing some fitness work that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do.”
The qualified lawyer disclosed that he hasn’t yet signed a contract with New Zealand Rugby extending past 2014 and he’ll wait to see how he’s playing before finalising that.
“It’s pretty straightforward, they gave me a bit of time and I just wanted to see how I’d handle another year in the game, particularly after my break from the game last year,” he said.
“If I can see I’ll add value to the team, I’m keen to hang around, so it’s a bit of a formality.”
44bottles
Roar Guru
This isn't the team I want, but the team I expect. They trialled with TKB a bit last year, now I think they're gonna try TJP
moaman
Guest
Digger-------------PiUtau would squeeze 2014 Jane out right away were he match-fit.But I think they will plump for Jane for Bled 1 unless something happens at training etc between now and then to persuade them otherwise.It is Match 18,after all. Jerry--My thoughts exactly.TKB impresses me defensively more than anything. 44bottles--Not for Bled 1 regarding Fekitoa and Piutau----though a lot can happen fitness-wise between now and kickoff so you may be right regarding Piutau and the bench. OJ--I like the idea of Piutau on the right wing too--we are spoilt for choices.
Jerry
Guest
TKB is far from a finished product but I've not seen anything that suggests that TJP is a better option than him either in the short or long term.
Dsat24
Guest
With McCaw, Read and Carter playing in the weekend's final, its odds on it will be very physical so injury will occur meaning one or two of these three might miss some or all of the RC. :(
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I think they'll wait to see how the Crusaders go on the weekend, but the temptation to start Carter will be huge. If you start Carter, do you really want to lose Barrett's impact off the bench? That's the big question, and if all three stay fit (which given the last few seasons seems unlikely), we may end up with a messy horses for courses situation. Having said that, Hansen is undefeated in RC play, so ours is not to question why. Dagg, Smith, Jane and Piutau is another conundrum. I guess they'll base it on the training camps/warm up games. I would rather see Smith at fullback and Piutau on the wing, I think.
44bottles
Roar Guru
That looks a lot like what I suspect it'll be. Only changes I have are TJ Perenara at 21, and either Piutau or Fekitoa at 23. I'm putting my money on Piutau though.
44bottles
Roar Guru
That looks a lot like what I suspect it'll be. Only changes I have are TJ Perenara at 21, and either Piutau or Fekitoa at 23. I'm putting my money on Piutau though.
Digby
Roar Guru
Nice Moa. Im not sure about loosehead. Ben Franks was preferred behind Woodcock at times last season and was injured during the English series and i wonder if we will see him start? I also think Piatau would be on the bench ahead of Jane. Otherwise I reckon it is spot on.
moaman
Guest
Wasn't my intention zer0---just the way I wrote 'em down.
zer0
Guest
Can't say that playing Savea at centre, Conrad at second five and Nonu on the left wing would be my backline choices...
moaman
Guest
Sat down with a friend earlier and debated the starting xv for the first Bledisloe--and was surprised at how hard it was to predict where the selectors would go. Seems to me that some very,very good players will miss out on the initial 23 altogether! Contentious positions for me? Fullback and therefore Right wing too. Dagg--Smith-Jane??? Starting 10 and that leads to who sits on the bench as backup first five? Also the outside back cover on the bench;Depending on who gets to start--players like Cruden,Piutau,Fekitoa and/or Jane could be omitted from the 23! Ben Smith played the house down at fullback v England.But the selectors have shown with Cane's inclusion that being the incumbent before an injury-forced break doesn't alter one's status.Or does it? I love having Dagg's booming boot as a fallback option on defence.If he gets the nod at 15 Smith would squeeze Jane out---having the latter duel it out with Charles Piutau for a bench spot.... Does Cruden retain his spot at 10? Or potentially lose his place in the entire 23 to Carter and the more explosive utility option Barrett? I think the selectors will go this way; Dagg Smith Savea Smith Nonu Carter Smith; Read McCaw Kaino Whitelock Retallick Crockett Coles Franks ............. Faumuina Mealamu Franks B Tuipolotu Messam TKB Barrett Jane What do you think?