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Former Kiwi rugby league halfback Gary Freeman believes South Sydney-bound Jeremy Smith is ready to take on the number seven jersey for the Kiwis.
Freeman handed his seven jersey to the now retiring Stacey Jones in 1995 and says Smith deserves a crack on the international stage, especially if he has a sound season next year.
Smith was in contention for this year's Tri-Nations squad after securing the number one halfback spot at the Parramatta Eels. However, he missed the last part of the season through injury and a chance to further impress Kiwis coach Brian McClennan.
Smith is moving to the Rabbitohs in 2007 where he will join experienced Kiwis Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell and Nigel Vagana, who has also retired.
Freeman points to Benji Marshall as the obvious player to replace Vagana at stand-off - provided he is fit.
Marshall was also absent during this year's Tri-Nations, recovering from a shoulder reconstruction and has been plagued by shoulder injuries for much of his brief NRL career.
Freeman believes they could convert Marshall to halfback, but he is concerned over who would then take over at stand-off.
Warriors utility Jerome Ropati, who played stand-off in the second test against Great Britain, is an option but Freeman says he really has to play in the position all season at club level if he is to have the job for the Kiwis.
Freeman says that while Smith and Marshall are young, they will have had another season's NRL experience by the time the Tri Nations comes around again.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZHERALD STAFF
