Smith's Super drought
Outgoing Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith spent 12 seasons trying to will the Hurricanes to a Super Rugby title but leaves the franchise without a title to his name.
The final against the Highlanders was the ideal opportunity for him, and the franchise, to break their trophy drought but it was not meant to be. He will head to France after the World Cup with something missing on his impressive resume.
A qualified lawyer and one of the game's most intelligent men, the 33-year-old attempted to find a way to sum it up.
"It's all pretty raw at the moment. I'm gutted for management, the players, the club because we deserved better than this.
"But at times like this I always try and keep perspective on things and I know I'll be trying to get the guys to lift their heads because there's a lot to be proud of and it's a game of footy. We lost, that's all it is," he said.
Smith led the Hurricanes to 14 victories during the regular season as they topped the standings and earned home advantage for the playoffs and the final – a match which he admits will not keep him wake at night.
"If this is my biggest disappointment in life then I think I'll be pretty happy when I'm an old man. I don't think I'll be one to look back on games and get too hung up on them," he added.
NZ Herald
