Au revoir to our Ben

is slightly painful to picture him playing for a French club, there is consolation he will not be seen in Crusaders red or Hurricanes yellow.

So, too, did his physical stature endear him to the rugby community. The ‘‘skinny white boy’’ might be disappearing from a professional landscape dominated by behemoths, but Smith showed there was still a place for a bloke with — and how to say this without sounding harsh? — a relatively underwhelming physique.

For all those attributes, it must not be forgotten that he was supremely talented. Skill, as much as dedication and a level head, got Smith to the top.

He didn’t run through people like Jonah Lomu. He didn’t produce constant moments of eyepopping wizardry like Jeff Wilson — though he had all the tools in his bag. He wasn’t the sort of defender to cut people in half.

What did he do well? Everything. He might have been the most accomplished allround player in the All Blacks, so good in every facet of the game he was regularly shunted from his preferred fullback position because coaches just knew he would play well with any number on his back.

The sight of Smith leaving the field with head knocks in recent years has caused concern. For that reason, and because of his wonderful service to New Zealand rugby, few will begrudge his decision to leave at the end of next year.

Treasure every minute he plays for the Highlanders — then wish our Ben the best.