Conrad Smith

Conrad Smith is one of the finest centres to ever play the game. A former captain of the Hurricanes and a key member of the All Blacks side that won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015, he’s one of the true greats of rugby. Conrad Smith was inducted into the RugbyPass Hall of Fame in 2021.

After playing both rugby union and cricket to a high level during his childhood, Conrad Smith decided to play rugby professionally and signed for the Wellington Lions in 2003. Only a year later, he made his debut for the Hurricanes.

Although Conrad Smith’s career with the Hurricanes was blighted by injury, he made 126 appearances for the side between 2004 and 2015, captaining the side regularly.

At the end of the 2015 Super Rugby season, Conrad Smith announced that he was leaving the Hurricanes and signing for Pau in the Top 14. He then stayed with the side until 2018, when he retired.

Although he enjoyed a highly distinguished domestic career, Conrad Smith is undoubtedly best known for his 94 appearances for New Zealand between 2004 and 2015. He made his debut for the side at the age of 22, only a year after he made his professional debut. He then enjoyed an illustrious international career and was a crucial part of the squad that won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015. He immediately retired from international duty after the final in 2015.

After retiring from domestic rugby in 2018, Conrad Smith became a defensive coach for Pau. In 2020, he became the club’s high performance manager. However, he left the side in 2021. He now serves as project manager and legal counsel for the International Rugby Players, a global rugby players representative body.