Mentor smith to miss own farewell

IT SAYS everything about the legacy of George Smith that even the youngster playing at flyhalf for the Queensland Reds tomorrow night will never forget his input.

Reds No.10 Hamish Stewart had Smith as an idol, long before he started watching fancy moving flyhalves, because he was a kid flanker growing up at Toowoomba Grammar.

Smith threw him the last pass for his first Super Rugby try when creating the upset win over the Brumbies last year and has never stopped being a mentor.

“George has improved me, he’s improved everyone,” Stewart said of Smith’s input at the Reds during his two-season run. “He was a childhood idol and I’m grateful for all he’s taught me and for putting all the young boys in the squad on the right path.”

Smith will miss his own farewell party, deciding not to risk his dodgy knee against Japan’s Sun wolves at Suncorp Stadium.

The sigh of disappointment from fans, teammates, media and admirers worldwide reflects that no one has grown tired of watching the Wallaby great’s class, even after 164 Super Rugby matches.

It means Smith’s choice as his successor, Liam Wright, 20, will earn another start.

Nowhere does the Next Gen vibe to the Reds beat stronger than in the halves where Stewart, 20, and sniper Tate McDermott, 19, have been paired.

McDermott is the fourth halfback to start for the Reds this season after James Tuttle (five games), Ben Lucas (seven) and Moses Sorovi (three).

Even at 80kg, McDermott is a fearless ruckbase runner and the speed he adds to the Reds is one reason for this call-up.

“It (that style) makes everyone take a backward step in the defence and gives me good front-foot ball to use the power of our backs,” Stewart said.

He has already played a part in 17 games as the anointed figure to run the Reds next year when Jono Lance heads to English club Worcester.

Resting Smith’s twisted knee means he’ll be at full tilt for English club Bristol.