Prime Ben Smith was UNREAL

[@Bumble21]

I bumped into Ben Smith at the supermarket once, just turned the corner and there he was. Zero ego or anything, apologised for being in the way and moved his trolley. Legend on and off the field.

[@graybollocks]

I never quite understood what it was that made Ben Smith such an exceptional player. Didn’t have the obvious express pace of Beauden Barrett. Nehe Milner-Skudder had the footwork. Not a physical freak like Sonny Bill. But What. A. Player. So often clearly the best player on the pitch, even for the All Blacks. Defensively outstanding. Maybe the cleverest player I have ever seen.

[@felipegonzalez8722]

It’s called timing ⏱️ the awareness of being at the right place in the right time. Like Conrad Smith or Christian Cullen

[@robertmiller2173]

I think he was faster than Baudie, way smarter than SBW, it was the smiths Conrad, Aron, and Ben!

[@Garrett1240]

He and Nick Abendanon were the most clever fulbacks who didn't have obvious freakish physical gifts.

[@jraz6102]

In basketball they call it court awareness, which Ben Smith has in abundance. And while I agree with the others his timing is a crucial skill- to overuse the basketball analogies one of his massive gifts is akin to Luka Doncic's gift of constant change of pace and a very, very good ability to decelerate which creates gaps most players can't open up with a simple step etc.

[@archvermin]

He's like a blood hound. Often I've seen him take on the defensive line when there's no apparent gap to exploit. A lot of times he's met with closed gates, but just as often he would somehow make meters and put defence on the back foot. And here's one of his most precious quality - I've never seen him gets turned over when he's carrying.

[@tsherwood2112]

The tackle on Tuilagi in the first clip was unreal, how he won the ball at the breakdown too. That contribution was worth a try, simple as

[@duchessix6]

i like the way the lady reacts in the back. life is good with those simple pleasures

[@PocketRugby]

If you were to build a prototype model performer in a lab to be able to demonstrate every skill in rugby you need, Ben Smith would be it. Every single child needs to watch him! Great video - thank you. Ps, all skills except scrummaging, lifting and hooking 😂

[@GaryPeters-nv8pj]

Remember the ABC of Smiths? Aaron, Ben and Conrad. Legend.

[@archvermin]

I remember. The Smith-Triumvirate I used to call it. Good times.

[@mzanziman9150]

Thanks for this great reminder of an all round legend

[@nabney7777]

I read somewhere that Will Jordan is the new Ben Smith - and there is much to be said for that comparison. The situational awareness, positioning, and choice of action (run, kick, pass) has some similarities.

[@AndrewDavidForde]

I made the mistake of sarcasticaly tweeting that Will Jordan was like Ben Smith but good, shows how much the All Blacks rate Smith because I got absolutely roasted in my replies!

[@ryandougall]

For me one of the best full backs there has been arguably underrated not the biggest player but technically very gifted player

[@Karma-qt4ji]

I reckon he is one of the reasons the All Blacks "failed" at the 2019 RWC.

[@kingpower4631]

@@Karma-qt4ji how so? he didn't play?

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@kingpower4631 That's how so. Against England, Beauden was proven to be what we all know he was - a very good attacking FB but not so good on the exit. In the backline with him you had Bridge, Reece, Goodhue, ALB... all good players, but also good with ball in hand and not so good at getting out of the 22. England pinned you there in exactly the same way you did to the Springboks in 2015 and you, like the Springboks, cannot score points if you're stuck in your 22. That's a long way of saying BS should have played, if not in place of Beauden then in place of Bridge. Or even from the bench.

[@kingpower4631]

@@Karma-qt4ji i remember that issue i recckon they thought they'd win without ben smith because the all blacks always win

[@montynaiduki4651]

Finally a proper Ben Smith highlights @Andrew Forde Thanks you

[@dancarter9789]

Best all round player I have ever seen. Excellent footwork, defence, positioning, game-reading, handling and in the air.

[@gerardsearancke6357]

I am so happy to see Ben Smith get some love. We never knew how important he was until he left. Always in the right place, at the right time and always made the right plays.

[@harryocallaghan8082]

Reminds me a lot of Hugo Keenan. Not the biggest man on the park but incredible rugby brain. Nearly always get passed the first defenders. Solid under the high ball, deceptively strong & fast, very good tackler and reliable kicker. Always pops up in the right spaces and can step off both feet.

[@davidcorkill6810]

Thank you once again Andrew. Great set of highlights showcasing Ben Smith's range of skills. Amazing on attack and defense and just sublime under the high ball.

[@jonnybaynham1689]

Served as an example that natural individual talent matched with working on excellence in the basics is key. Smith made his debut in 09 but only came to the fore in 13 when Hansen recognized Smith raised his game in defence, high ball, and positional excellence. Became the best FB in the world at that point. For all the natural talents of people like LRZ, Arundell, they wont make nearly the impact Smith made on a game until they master these aspects

[@joeboonmusic4004]

My favourite player. In my opinion the greatest utility back of all time.

[@Mostlycars888]

Message from a 4-time World Champion supporter....Ben Smith imo was the most complete 15 I've ever seen and I always hated it when we faced him, as he always found a way to score against us. Respect from the Republic🫡

[@theayviishow2559]

An All Black Legend, easily one of the greats

[@mikemcgrory1128]

Best ever chasing the high ball & regathering & so smart in all Other facets of the game

[@jraz6102]

Ben Smith. A true immortal of the game. Among his many gifts... positional awareness, change of pace, fearlessness and most underated skill of all skills IMO the ability to decelerate to create gaps. And also a true Gent. Onya lad!

[@falkkiwiben]

No one really like him since. Penaud has some similarities, but Smith's sheer intelligence on the wing was insane. I was too young when he was at his prime to remember everything, but wow what an inspiration.

[@joeboonmusic4004]

Jordan is the closest, I'd say.

[@falkkiwiben]

@@joeboonmusic4004 I agree, but I'm kiwi and trying to be unbiased ;)

[@Keeks749]

Hugo Keenan has a chance. Doesn't look like he should be a pro sports player, but is consistently one of the best players on the field. It took me a while to figure out who he reminded me of, but it's Ben from accounts

[@joeboonmusic4004]

@@falkkiwiben Hahaha oh no need for modesty! Jordan is the real deal, as are the Barretts. I forget how young Jordan still is, too. Frightening prospect.

[@joeboonmusic4004]

@@Keeks749 With you there, for sure. Probably the full-back I'd most want in my team out of the current 15s. He makes you completely forget his small stature. The closest England have to a potential Ben Smith is Arundell. He's super young and fast as hell, can imagine him getting to Ben Smith heights if he keeps pushing and working on his defence.

[@cory1691]

Amazing rugby IQ. All round skill. Legend

[@shortspecimen]

That fist tackle was actually incredible

[@ljawgtn1393]

Love that last try and the way the Commentator says it, kind of like a soccer commentator "......and the Cup ------------- is his.

[@ロッテファン-j2g]

I remember a 15 year old me wondering why we didn’t play him that much in the 19 World Cup, still kinda baffled

[@good_fats]

Yes thank you! Favorite player of all time

[@jonplayle6954]

Always won the ball back from a high kick from simply keeping his eyes on the ball he was a freak at that

[@MylesspainBell]

The smith era was the best. Aaron, Conrad & Ben were next level. Ben is definitely up there in the top 5 of wingers & fullback in regards to the black jersey. Just an absolute beast of an all round player.

[@godisbollocks]

It was really dumb of them not to start Ben Smith in that 2019 semifinal against England.

[@arthurogomeni7839]

Totally agree

[@SocialObject]

Only NZ produce such intelligent, all-round back three players like Ben Smith. Stuff of nightmares to support against. Love from England x

[@RRSmurf]

He and Jerome Kaino my favourite AB's!

[@francariglino]

Ben Smith between 2013-2019 is just peak, he was great as a Highlander but wearing the ABS jersey, he was always top tier backline players, best fullback ever imo

[@Hammersteyn]

1:58 Of course it's Faf 😂

[@nickbenfell4327]

Simply the best of the best. A true Otago man.

[@joepunk90]

One of the tries in this video (against wales) was his last try for the ABs at the 2019 RWC .So prime Ben Smith was still Prime when he retired from international rugby! #BenFromAccounts

[@Me123-onMe]

He was so incredibly fast!

[@greensmith25]

the goat from accounts

[@lewisafal]

Some players make everything look effortless, not this guy. Everything he did was seemingly out of pure grit.

[@aphiwembande8661]

12 - Nonu 13 - C.Smith 14 - B. Smith As a Bok fan it was over before it even started😭

[@robertmiller2173]

Bender the Great! Fantastic!

[@rory4016]

arguably the best 15 of all time, ridiculous player

[@acea2941]

One of the greatest ❤

[@mattjohannes6074]

My favourite rugby player of all time

[@andrewwest8334]

Incredible player, Bin Smuth!

[@slambo70]

He would have been first pick in any team in the world for a bit there. Wonderful player

[@liamdell4202]

Dunedin legend! Best 15 there has ever been, simple!

[@jayperie2337]

Ben Smith and Conrad Smith were both wonderful.

[@burninggiraffe6615]

Always good seeing Folau be put in his place. God didn’t help him then

[@Karma-qt4ji]

God was just his excuse to be a bigoted arsehole.

[@samnaga1389]

Would you be able to do Rob Horne ?

[@godisbollocks]

Top 3 All Blacks fullback ever.

[@JaleRataubera]

Never disappoints...

[@HB84hunt]

Can’t believe that Hansen and co played Bridge over this man in 2019.

[@Hatunrumioc]

One of the best players I've ever seen.

[@onnie9summers]

What a player! But Kiwis pronounce it 'Bin Smith' 😆

[@nevetswhy123]

Ben was truly world class, but Cullen was the GOAT.

[@Connor6569]

I guarantee that catch in the air out of Picamoles hands would have been a penalty if he didn't get the ball... ''Wasn't in a realistic position'' Outstanding catch.