All Blacks centre Conrad Smith isn’t ready to reconsider his international rugby career quite yet.
Smith was knocked out 10 days ago when attempting a tackle against the Bulls during the Hurricanes’ 48-14 Super Rugby loss in Pretoria. He was unconscious for almost a minute before being taken off on a stretcher for treatment.
The injury raised questions over the 31-year-old’s longevity in rugby due to a history of head knocks dating back to 2006. He was also diagnosed with concussion following the season-opening match against the Blues.
But Smith told a media conference in Wellington on Tuesday the possibility of retiring hadn’t really occurred to him.
“No, not at the time. After that knock, within probably half-an-hour, I could remember everything about the day, right up until the tackle.
“Other people experience mass memory loss; guys get headaches; guys can’t concentrate; they can’t sleep. I had none of that.
“The days that followed, I felt really good – it surprised me a bit, but those are the main things you go on. But I’m obviously not going to take huge risks, and I don’t want it to happen regularly.”
Smith was named in a 38-man All Blacks training squad on Tuesday, coach Steve Hansen adamant he has no concerns about the pivotal centre despite having not spoken to him.
“From the way he was jumping around on the sidelines the other night when the Hurricanes scored that try, he didn’t look too bad.
“With Conrad, we’ll certainly ask him if he’s ready to play. If he says he’s not right, then he won’t play.”
Smith is concentrating on reaching peak form for his comeback match against the Brumbies in Canberra on May 31, and says he hasn’t given too much consideration to All Blacks’ selection.
“I’ll only play if I’m feeling happy about myself and right to play.”