Tri-Nations - Smith to join 100 club against All Blacks

Eurosport - Fri, 17 Jul 11:55:00 2009

Wallabies flanker George Smith will not be retiring until after the 2011 World Cup but he is hoping to receive an expensive commemorative watch when he wins his 100th Test cap.

George Smith - 0

Smith will become only the 10th international to make 100 Test appearances when he runs out against New Zealand at Eden Park and he left the Australian Rugby Union in no doubt what he would like to mark the milestone.

"I think I'm getting a Rolex from (ARU managing director) John O'Neill," Smith said with a smile. "I don't have one, so it would be nice, so hopefully John is watching."

The 28-year-old from Sydney's northern beaches made his debut against France in Paris in 2000 before becoming one of the best number sevens in the game.

His opposite number on Saturday, Richie McCaw, is another of the great exponents of the openside flanker's art and he was full of praise for Smith ahead of the opening Tri-Nations encounter.

"He's a fairly smart player and when he gets in and has a crack at the ball or carries the ball he is very effective," the New Zealand captain said.

"He doesn't make poor decisions and that makes him a pretty classy player."

He is keen to add to the tally, however, and has signed a contract with the ARU until after the 2011 World Cup.

"The decision was made in conjunction with my family and my wife. Their interests were the top of the list," Smith said.

"(But) staying in Australian rugby has got the stability for me and staying for the 2011 World Cup was a factor. I think this team is building towards great things and definitely want to be a part of that."

List of players who have won 100 Test caps:

139 - George Gregan (Australia)

119 - Jason Leonard (England/British and Irish Lions)

118 - Fabien Pelous (France)

111 - Philippe Sella (France)

103 - Gareth Thomas (Wales/British and Irish Lions)

102 - Percy Montgomery (South Africa), Stephen Larkham (Australia)

101 - Alessandro Troncon (Italy), David Campese (Australia)

Reuters

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  1. totally disagree. props tend to be able to have longer­ careers than back-line players, because they dont have­ to concentrate as @#$% stamina or pace, so are less­ affected by the ravages of age.
    dont get me wrong, the­ job that the front-row perform is by far the most­ valuable and strenuous, but im most impressed by percy­ montgomery in this list. goalkicking, fullbacking and­ able to beat a man, to play for a team consistently on­ of the top 3 in the world is immense AND he didnt have­ the benfit of Lions caps either
    ACTUALLY, ignore all of­ whta ive just said, all of these players are legends­ and deserve to be remembered until the end of rugby

    From moggie2727, on Fri 17 Jul 3:36PM

  2. 9 years to earn 100 caps, that`s not bad going!
    George­ who...?!
    Jason Leonard is definitely the best of the­ `100 Caps` club! How can one man go through all that­ agony? Not only played during the professional era, but­ the good old amateur days as well. That will take some­ beating!

    From mark h, on Fri 17 Jul 2:25PM

  3. Jason Lenoard got those CAP's partly in the best­ team in the world at the time, England 2003 world cup­ etc.

    Plus, he's a prop, the position which usually­ leaves players burnt out very early in thier potential­ careers. So for my money, Jason Lenard is the best of­ the '100 caps' club.

    From Tim, on Fri 17 Jul 1:26PM
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