ACT Brumbies flanker George Smith will continue playing while he feels like he can compete against the best in the world and is in negotiations to extend his stay at Suntory in Japan until at least the 2014-15 season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But while the club great is preparing to set a new record for games played for the Brumbies, the 32 year old has all but ruled out returning to Super Rugby next season or beyond for another farewell tour.
Smith will play his 137th game for the Brumbies when they take on the Canterbury Crusaders on Sunday.
He will break the record set by former teammate and Australian rugby legend George Gregan and will continue to add to the tally as he plays out the remainder of the season in Canberra.
Suntory agreed to loan Smith to the Brumbies for what started as a short-term deal that was supposed to finish at the end of May.
But with David Pocock suffering a season-ending knee injury, Suntory has agreed to allow Smith to stay with the Brumbies until their campaign finishes, which makes him eligible for Wallabies selection against the British and Irish Lions.
It’s understood Suntory and the ARU are still negotiating insurance and release details before Smith can be locked in as a contender for a Test recall in June and July.
But when asked how long the veteran felt he could continue to compete at the top more than a decade after making his debut, he said: ‘‘I’ve always had the theory if I’m playing well and I’m being competitive, I’ll continue playing."
‘‘I have to take into consideration my family and how they feel ... as long as I’m competitive and feel I’m contributing I’ll continue playing.
‘‘It’s very highly unlikely [a Super Rugby return again] would happen just because I’m not getting any younger. Life after football is coming up pretty soon and I’m enjoying my time in Japan.
‘‘I’m enjoying this stint with the Brumbies ... but at this stage I can’t say what’s going to happen [in the future].’’
Smith is still contracted at Suntory until the end of the next Japanese season.
He is in talks with the powerhouse club to re-sign for at least one more season and then negotiate any future deals on a year-to-year basis.
Smith’s durability for the Brumbies and the Wallabies was his hallmark for a decade at the top of Australian rugby.
He retired from Australian duties at the end of 2010 to take his career abroad and play in France and Japan.
It’s fitting his 137th Brumbies appearance is against the Crusaders - a team he built a fierce rivalry with in the prime of his career.
The Brumbies and the Crusaders were arch rivals, playing in three of five finals between 2000 and 2004.
The Crusaders brought Smith’s Australia career to a screeching halt in 2010 when they beat the Brumbies in the last regular-season game and ruined Smith’s hopes of a fairytale send off in the finals.
‘‘My last game with the Brumbies before coming back was against the Crusaders in Christchurch and I didn’t achieve that last goal that I wanted to get, and it was a loss, so I’d like to get a win against them,’’ Smith said on Tuesday.
‘‘We’ve always had huge rivalries with them over the years and I expect no different.’’
The Brumbies kicked into scintillating form when they smashed the Western Force 41-7 at Canberra Stadium last weekend.
But the Crusaders present a much sterner test for the top-of-the-table Brumbies.
Smith has spoken with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans about a potential Test comeback against the Lions.
If insurance clearance is given and he is picked, he will be one of only a select few to play in against the Lions twice, as the team tours Australian once every 12 years.
Brumbies most capped players
George Smith 136
George Gregan 136
Stirling Mortlock 123
Stephen Larkham 116
Jeremy Paul 112
GEORGE SMITH
Age: 32
Super Rugby debut: v Durban Sharks, 2000
Test debut: v France, 2000
Matches: Brumbies 136, Wallabies 110, Toulon (France) 30, Stade Francais (France) 8, Suntory (Japan) 34, Barbarians 6
