Smith: It’s been a lot of fun
Wayne Smith’s last dance with the Black Ferns is a Rugby World Cup final before an expected world record crowd for women’s rugby against a formidable England team on a 30-match winning streak.
The tournament hosts, and the reigning five-time champions, face the favourites tomorrow night in Auckland for what is likely to be Smith’s final match as a coach on the game’s biggest stage, with more than 40,000 due to fill Eden Park.
‘‘This has been an experience I never thought I would enjoy so much,’’ Smith said at yesterday’s press conference, ‘‘once you understand the struggle for these women to be here.’’
Smith, too, has led the Black Ferns in honour of another great mate, a man he considers his coaching mentor, the late Laurie O’reilly, who died from cancer in 1998.
O’reilly was a pioneer for women’s rugby who championed the game decades before the greater prominence it has today. He coached New Zealand’s first women’s team – before they were known as the Black Ferns – and led them at the first women’s World Cup in 1991 in Wales.
The trophy contested by the Black Ferns and Australia, the O’reilly Cup, is named after him.
‘‘The other day, I got a text from his daughter, [former Black Fern] Lauren, and Chris, the son, saying he would have loved the freedom with which you play,’’ Smith said.
‘‘He would have said keep attacking, keep going at it, and don’t worry about the result.
‘‘That’s coach. That’s what he would have said.’’
Smith asked the Black Ferns to adopt a more attacking, expansive game plan to suit their DNA for the immense challenge of northern powerhouses England and France.
It’s got them to the final, albeit with slices of luck in last Saturday’s semifinal win over France, and it’s won plenty of admirers.
‘‘I think we’re in a place not a lot of people thought we would get to. That French team was outstanding, athletic and wellprepared,’’ Smith said.
‘‘We’ve got perhaps the best team of all time to play on the weekend. We’re enjoying it, but we’re going to have to be at our very best.’’
This unexpected journey has been memorable for Smith, who will head to Waihi Beach once the tournament is over and, potentially, back into retirement.
His career could have yet another highlight tomorrow night to match, or surpass, his success in roles with the All Blacks, Crusaders and Chiefs, amongst others.
The Black Ferns have only turned fully professional for the first time this season.
‘‘They’re smart and make the most of the occasion. They don’t get too uptight. They don’t see the point because it’s been that hard to get here,’’ Smith said.
‘‘They enjoy it, they sing, they dance and thump the music out on the bus. I’m trying to think about what I’m going to say at halftime, and this music is pumping out, and I’ve got people talking.
‘‘But I’ve come to love it. I love these girls. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a lot of fun, but I’ve got other plans coming up.’’