Patience pays off for Ben Smith 14 Jun 2014
Emma Storey
He's had to wait until his 28th Test but Ben Smith will finally get to run out in his preferred position of fullback when the All Blacks take on England in the second Test in Dunedin.
Of his previous 27 games in the black jersey Smith has played 12 on the wing, six at centre and nine off the bench and the affable Highlander is just happy to get another opportunity to play for the All Blacks no matter what the position.
"I have been happy on the wing or at centre," Smith said. "This is just another chance to get out there in a black jersey. It is a different number on my back and one that I'm pretty excited about. "But I've just got to do my part for the team, which this week is at fullback rather than on the wing, and I'm looking forward to that challenge."
Smith, who made his All Blacks debut in 2009, gets his chance in front of his home crowd because Israel Dagg is out with a knee injury. It has meant a reshuffle of the back three with Julian Savea returning on the left wing after recovering from his own knee complaint and Cory Jane shifting to his preferred slot on the right wing.
They are the only changes to the line-up from the scratchy series-opening 20-15 win against the English last week at Eden Park and Smith is confident any adjustments that have to be made will be seamless.
"I'll need to make sure that I'm working hard with Jules and CJ. I just want to bring a bit of excitement," Smith added
"We work hard as a back three so making sure we're all on the same page as we're progressing through the game (is important)."
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen conceded shifting Jane to the left wing for the Auckland clash had not gone according to plan, saying the 46-Test veteran had been "all at sea" in the unfamiliar role.
It is a situation Jane's Hurricanes' team-mate, Savea, knows all too well. When Jane made the switch from fullback to right wing for the Super Rugby franchise a few years ago it was Savea who had to make way.
"He did kick me across to the left wing and I was really uncomfortable there then," Savea admitted. "But I'm really happy there now.
"He does prefer the right wing so hopefully we'll see a lot more fends this week. Fends to the face are what I really love when I see CJ on the wing."
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