Marcus Smith has the Midas touch. As if any further proof were needed, he took part in a fishing trip with several England team-mates a few days ago – and soon got the knack.
Revealing that he caught ‘three or four’, the Harlequins fly-half added: ‘There were other lads who hauled in more than me, but that was my first proper experience of fishing. Almost every time I put the lure in, I managed to catch something. I put a few back because they weren’t big enough. It is not every day you get to do that and cook massive red snapper.’
Putting aside the fact that his Kiwi club mentor, Nick Evans, mocked Smith’s choice of fishing attire, it was an illuminating tale about a talented individual. Whether he is on a boat or on a rugby field, he has good skills and instincts. Now, Smith also has the status to match his innate ability. He is England’s senior fly-half on this tour. The No 10 shirt is seemingly his for the taking, long-term.
This is a significant juncture in the 25-year-old’s Test career. He has been the wonder-kid, the poster-boy – the next big thing. Now, he has to show he can be the boss and deliver without Owen Farrell or George Ford around to provide guidance – and a giant shadow to operate in.
It feels like Smith’s moment, in a high-stakes series against the All Blacks, to demonstrate that he can be the right conductor for England’s brave new world of attacking liberation. So, it was a suitable moment to take stock of his progress, over the course of 32 appearances to date. How does he rate his own development as an international playmaker?
Marcus Smith was among the try scorers as England beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo last month
‘Obviously, I started very young,’ he said, having emerged as a schoolboy sensation and soon earned a call-up as an ‘apprentice’ under Eddie Jones. ‘I was very grateful for the opportunity. I hadn’t even played a game of men’s rugby when I was called up for my first camp. I was put in a position which, being honest, I probably wasn’t prepared for.
‘They put their arms around me, challenged me and encouraged me to improve. That was seven years ago now. It drove me to have more hunger and desire to pull on the England jersey for the first time. I learned from seeing guys like Owen and George play for England for a long time and the drive, determination and mental fortitude those guys have.
‘I think it’s put me in a good position at this stage of my career, where I realise it’s no coincidence or accident why those guys have amassed hundreds of caps. It’s because their diligence, concentration and their focus is at the highest level.’
So, how does he regard himself now? ‘I think I’ve grown in terms of my leadership and the way I see life and rugby,’ added Smith.
‘I’m nowhere near being the finished article from a rugby-playing point of view – or as a person. But the lessons I learned from a young age, rubbing shoulders with idols of mine who I used to watch growing up, have put me in a confident position, that I can showcase the best of myself.’
Smith and England are now preparing for two Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand
Smith was asked to pinpoint the performances for England which were a true reflection of his vast potential. He struggled to recall stand-out games, before saying: ‘South Africa (in 2021) was a special memory. The Ireland game this year was a special memory. The Fiji game in the quarter-final of the World Cup was an amazing memory for me.’
The latter highlight was an intriguing choice, as it was an outing at full-back during the World Cup last year. That became his temporary way into the England team, when Farrell and Ford were both involved and influential. Smith was asked to adapt to a different role and he believes that it was a valuable episode for him.
‘For me personally, that was a good learning experience and a good life experience,’ he said. ‘Growing up, I’d never played that position and probably never even had a dream of ever playing in that position for any team, let alone England at a World Cup.
‘So, to be given that opportunity taught me a lot. It gave me the belief that I could play multiple positions at this level. I made loads of mistakes, but from a skills and high-ball point of view, I’ve really improved. From my defensive side, I’ve really improved. So, I’m really grateful for that opportunity at the World Cup. It was a big moment in my career.’
Now, this week – on this tour – he is the main man. He is the one entrusted with setting the agenda for how England will attack. Ford did that superbly in the latter stages of the Six Nations, as Steve Borthwick’s side came out of their shells, but now it falls to Smith to pick up the baton.
Twenty-five-year-old Harlequins star Smith is England’s senior fly-half on their current tour
Asked how he will do that, he said: ‘As the 10, I want the lads around me in the back line delivering the best of themselves. That makes me happy. When guys on the wing are buzzing to have the ball, I will reinforce that by saying, “Keep shouting for the ball, I love it”. It’s the same with the centres.’
Those outside backs are bound to be buzzing again on Saturday. Smith makes things happen – whether it’s catching fish as a novice or shredding the best defences in world rugby. He now has the stage to show that the apprenticeship phase as the next big thing is over, and that this is his time.
