Modest goals — stellar career

The years since have brought a mix of highs and lows on the field for the Highlanders.

Off it, Smith found something that could exceed the high of winning a Super Rugby title when he became a father for the first time in 2019. Luka has since been joined by baby brother

Leo.

Their arrival, followed by the death of Smith’s father, Wayne, this year, has put rugby in perspective.

‘‘What becoming a father does is it narrows your sight down. You love your wife. And your love for you kids just makes you want to go harder, because it’s about providing for someone who is half you and half your wife.

‘‘You go to work and do your thing. But when you add a kid to the mix, it just adds so much.

‘‘I’m in a job where I get paid well. And my kids won’t know, but when they look back on my career and ask about it, I want them to say, ‘Dad was all right, you know.’

‘‘Just knowing my kids are there means everything to me. And losing my father made me think. I remember watching him when I was little, and how happy he was to see me after a game. ‘‘I play for them now.’’

He also plays for wife Teagan. She has been there every step of the way — including through the dark times of 2016, when Smith was involved in a public indiscretion that had everyone up to the Prime Minister commenting on his behaviour, and prompted Smith to pursue a period of selfimprovement.

‘‘She’s my rock, my psychiatrist, my everything. She deals with a lot.

‘‘The respect I have for women has gone through the roof. For my own mum, for any mother. Watching what they go through to have a baby — and I’ve been there for both of them — massive respect and aroha for that.

‘‘My wife, and her support and her love for me, is amazing. I leave very early in the morning to do some extras. And All Black wives are solo parents for six months. We are just gone, and that’s hard.’’

The family will head to Japan at the end of the year when Smith takes up his contract with Toyota Verblitz.

Rugby will still be the big focus for some time but eventually it will be Teagan’s time.

‘‘You ask them to give up so much so you can chase your dream. And she’s supported that wholeheartedly. As a man and as a husband, you do feel guilty.

‘‘But the repayment is coming. And when my rugby is done, we can chase her dreams. Whatever she wants to do, or wherever she wants to go, we will do it.’’

A rather big challenge in France also awaits — and

Smith will hopefully get one more game at Forsyth Barr Stadium for the All Blacks in August.

The house is being packed up, and it seems unlikely Dunedin will be home again, but ‘‘Nuggie’’ will be a Highlander for life.

‘‘The Highlanders have given me everything, from my start to an opportunity to wear the black jersey. My kids have been born here. I’ve grown up as a man, bought houses, started a business, tried to add to the community.

‘‘All the records, and all the milestones, have just been about my deep passion for this team. I’m lucky. I’ve been able to be a oneclub man, which is not always an opportunity for every sportsman.

‘‘I had opportunities to leave but it just didn’t sit right for me. The Highlanders gave me my start, and I saw no reason to leave.’’