Brumbies backrower Jordan Smiler wasn’t convinced he had a Super Rugby future four years ago.
Having failed to get his contract renewed by New Zealand ITM Cup side Waikato at the end of 2009, it looked unlikely the hard-hitting loose forward from Hawke’s Bay would fulfill his aspirations.
“I was involved in New Zealand sevens and things like that and I just started weighing up my options,” he said.
“I started to think maybe I should hang up the boots professionally.
“The option came to come to Australia as my grandmother had been an Australian and I was able to play as a permanent resident.”
Fast forward four years and Smiler is gearing up for the biggest match of his hard-earned career when he likely starts against the Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
With the backrow gutted through the absence of Wallabies squad member Ben Mowen and injuries to David Pocock, George Smith and now Fotu Auelua, Smiler will need to step up as a bonus-point win will secure the Brumbies the Australian conference top spot heading into the finals.
“I’ve been in the (match-day) 22 for the last couple of weeks and I’ve got a lot of confidence from that,” he said.
Smiler’s big break into Super Rugby came courtesy of playing for Norths in the Shute Shield under former Brumbies and Wallabies backrower Scott Fava.
Impressed, Fava had a word with Brumbies coach Jake White at the end of 2012.
Six months later, Smiler was making his run-on debut against the Highlanders.
“It’s been a long time coming for me as I’ve been pushing and playing in a professional sense since I was 21,” he said.
“To finally get it now – I’m almost 28 – it’s a dream come true.”
Despite fierce competition for spots, Smiler – who can play all three positions in the backrow – seems content at the ACT franchise.
He says the incomparable coaching of World Cup-winning coach White, Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham has brought new elements to his game.
“The natural ability has always been there, but just the coaching – that’s taken my game to the next level,” he said.
Not to mention drawing on the experience of Wallabies greats Pocock and Smith, he added.
“Especially coming from New Zealand. You take things out of their game and try and apply it to yours,” Smiler said.