All Blacks great Conrad Smith says the recent drawn Lions series was a great result for world rugby.
Smith, who retired from international rugby following the 2015 World Cup, is playing in France for Top 14 side Pau. The former Hurricanes skipper said he hasn't watched much rugby since arriving in France but told Radio Sport he was glued to the Lions series.
"I watched every minute of that Lions series and easily the most enjoyable thing I've seen since I left. I loved it. I loved how competitive it was. I was obviously desperate for the All Blacks to win but in terms of world rugby, I think it was really important that the series was close and it was obviously. Really close," Smith told Radio Sport's Daniel McHardy.
"That actually made me really happy, despite the result, I would have loved us to kick and penalty and then win and be able to still say it was close but I just thought there was some great rugby played.
"I think you saw an All Blacks side under pressure which is good, despite putting my own favouritism aside it was good for rugby and it will made world rugby exciting for the next 12 months as it should be leading into this next World Cup," Smith said.
