New Zealand international center Conrad Smith said French hospitality has taken him by surprise since arriving in the southwest to join Pau.
However, accepting the generosity of rugby fans at the foot of the Pyrenees has also brought with it unfortunate rumors for the Rugby World Cup winning former All Black.
“I enjoy wine, but not to the extent that has been portrayed by the media,” said the 34-year-old, who won 94 New Zealand caps during a glorious international career that brought him two world titles. “French hospitality is so good that people I do not know are giving me bottles of red wine to try, but I cannot. If I did, I would be an alcoholic.”
Photo: AFP
Smith joined second division champions Pau after last year’s World Cup alongside fellow New Zealander Colin Slade, who moved from the Crusaders.
“The reason I came here was to do something different and it is exactly what I have experienced,” Slade said. “[There are] slight differences that have made [for] an exciting challenge.”
Slade played just 21 times for the All Blacks from 2010 to last year, alternating between flyhalf and center, but was part of both World Cup winning squads, like Smith. Smith’s last action for the Hurricanes was in losing the Super Rugby final to fellow New Zealanders the Highlanders.
After that, he agreed to join Pau under the guidance of compatriot Simon Mannix, who helped him overcome the language barrier.
“It helps, obviously, with the language, the first few weeks, because it was very difficult having the connections with some of the players, but the French boys have been really accommodating,” Smith said.
Pau have not enjoyed the most impressive season back in the Top 14 after a nine-year hiatus, but with two games of the regular season left, they are at least safe from relegation, sitting in 11th position, 19 points ahead of Oyonnax in 13th.
They are even one place above reigning champions Stade Francais, whose season has been a disaster.
“I think, obviously, the goal was to stay up, and the prospect of relegation was at the doorstep,” Smith said of his first season at Pau. “Now we have secured ourselves for next season, we have played a rugby to give the club a bit of belief, we can beat some of the good sides and really compete. For myself, I cannot see any reason the side we have got cannot challenge for the top six [next season].”
His language skills might not be the most impressive, but Smith has settled in well with his new teammates and delighted fans, too, when selling an outrageous dummy to former All Black center partner Ma’a Nonu before scoring a try — converted by Slade — against Toulon in January.
Pau captain Julien Pierre said at times he had to pinch himself when looking across the changing room and seeing Smith’s face.
“Three weeks after Conrad arrived, I was looking at him in the changing room and it seemed to me that he had been here for six months,” Pierre said. “Double world champion, but in his attitude, there was nothing that gave it away, except how demanding he was in training.”
Having the two former All Blacks in the group has been a source of motivation for the rest of the squad.
“It gives us a positive dynamic and when they say something, everyone wants to follow them,” Pierre added.
Mannix has been pleased with his countrymen.
“You cannot find fault with their commitment both on and off the pitch — they are big names in New Zealand rugby — and that is exactly what I expected,” Mannix said “They are here to work hard and take this club forward, and over the first six months, things have really been heading in the right direction.”
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