'Skinny' Conrad Smith sizes up opponent Max Evans and gets it all wrong

CONRAD Smith is hardy at 6ft 1in and a shade under 15 stones, but he has long been considered something of a throwback to when back divisions had wiry, silky players in their midst.

The amiable Kiwi was, therefore, pleasantly surprised to discover that he will line up against a smaller centre than himself tomorrow when New Zealand meet Scotland and Max Evans emerges in the home side's No13 jersey. The Glasgow Warrior stands 5ft 9in tall in his stocking feet and tips the scales at just 13st 12lbs.

Smith has proven his value to the All Blacks with over 42 internationals in six years and his return outside newcomer Sonny Bill Williams promises an intriguing blend of power and guile. Clearly, he isn't an expert on his opponent and brought a laugh when asked if the difference in size between him and Evans would matter to him.

"It's not rare in New Zealand," he started. "I've grown up always playing guys a lot bigger than me." But, the press pack interjected, Evans is smaller than you. "Oh, sorry," he said, his face reddening. "What do I know about the Scotland team? Obviously not much! We've looked at a bit of tape, but we've been working on our own side to be honest. We will look at individuals today and tomorrow.

"But, I haven't played a lot against guys smaller than me. I'll probably quite enjoy it, but often they're hardest to mark. When I get asked who is the toughest to mark I say some of the bouncy little guys, like some of the Australian backs in Super 14. They do give me more trouble defensively than the bigger guys."

The clash of 12s Graeme Morrison and Williams is a mouth-watering power affair, but the ingenuity of Evans and Smith at 13 may be more significant in which side uncovers more gaps to attack. Smith, right, is pleased to see another non-bulldozing centre in the game. "You see trends and, generally, players have become a lot more powerful," he said. "The beauty of rugby is that there is a place for any type of player, and you make a position for the skills you have. There is no set way to be a centre, no set way to be a half-back or whatever. That's why guys enjoy rugby at a lower level as well.

"The game is changing as well and maybe it suits us (smaller guys]. The impact levels are still tough and there is fatigue from running around, but in the Australia games you were coming off with your lungs burning but not as bruised as in other games. We spend a lot more time on our feet, keeping the ball in play a lot longer, and I've been very impressed with some of the width and inventiveness of the Scots attacks."

Smith, who hails from Taranaki in the North Island, has no known Scots connections, but Murrayfield still carries a great resonance which made him all the happier to be back in the XV this week.

"Murrayfield was probably the one place overseas I always wanted to play," he added. "I had a bet with a mate about who would be the first to play at Murrayfield.That might seem bizarre, but he reminded me of it the first time I played there - we had made the bet when we were about seven or eight, just kids fooling around. Everyone knew Murrayfield. Even way back then it was iconic for a kid growing up in New Plymouth, so it's great to be back."