Smith, NSW's Phil Waugh and Western Force's Matt Hodgson will go head to head for the Wallabies' No7 jersey after Deans's call to add depth and versatility to his back row.

While Smith is guaranteed first crack at the role, he doesn't believe the job is necessarily his for the entirety of the Test season.

But is the Brumbies flanker worried? Anything but.

''They've picked a number of specialist No7s but that just makes it for me a position to be hungrier for the spot and fight harder for it,'' Smith said. ''There is definite versatility in the back row. It will be a good challenge but it's a great thing for Australian rugby.''

But Smith was able to see the light side of the situation.

''I'm going to put my hand up for the No12 position as well so we'll see how that goes,'' he said, tongue firmly in cheek.

Smith was in a jovial mood yesterday, reflecting on his fourth consecutive Australian Super14 player of the year award he won on Thursday night.

The 28-year-old beat Waratahs prop Benn Robinson by two votes, making him the first player to win the award four years in a row.

Smith was shocked by the win, describing his season as ''up and down''.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times