All Blacks: Otago fullback bolts into touring party

Ben Smith was selected for his counter-attacking ability. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Ben Smith made probably the wisest investment of his rugby career on Saturday night.

He, along with his flatmates, decided to invest in the Rugby Channel. Just a few hours later, Smith heard his name read out on television as he was named in the 33-man All Black team to tour Japan and Europe.

"I was sitting there and heard my name and looked over at my partner, and thought, 'Was that my name?' Then it started to sink in and the calls started," Smith said.

His phone has not stopped ringing as congratulations flood in from far and wide.

Smith, 23, the Otago outside back, will be seen as an old-fashioned bolter in the All Blacks but he has been in sparkling form at fullback for Otago.

It has been a rapid rise for Smith, who this time last year wondered if he would ever play for any representative side.

He broke his foot near the end of last season and was struggling to walk properly as the hairline fracture struggled to heal.

"I did wonder if it was ever going to come right." But the injury slowly improved after a screw was placed in his foot.

He played well on the wing for the Highlanders before looking composed at fullback for Otago.

"I've just chipped away throughout the year, worked at parts of my game and it's been coming together all right."

Smith was born in Dunedin, attending Abbotsford Primary School and Kings High School.

He has played for the Green Island club since he was a junior.

Nick Evans was the most recent All Black out of Green Island, in 2007, following Greg Cooper (1992), Merv Jaffray (1976) and Lyn Jaffray (1972).

Smith, who played nearly every position in the backline at school, played rugby in England his first year out of school, before heading home.

His partner is former New Zealand junior basketballer Katie Menzies.

All Black coach Graham Henry said Smith was picked as a specialist right winger and praised his skill set, saying he was good under the high ball, counterattacked well and worked smoothly within the back three.

Smith said he had no preference where he played, just wanting to "get on the paddock".

"The body feels great. It's been a long season but just keeps getting better."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES