Offloading for the Wallabies in ‘82 Offloading for the Wallabies in ‘82. Images: Getty Images

What kind of player were you back then? Did your style change much with experience?

“I’ve always been about running the ball. I guess that’s why I went well in league, because I liked to carry the ball. In rugby, back

then, there wasn’t always the opportunity to do that, depending on the conditions, how much kicking there was in the game and the extra players on the field in rugby, too. I think the game of rugby has developed into a far better game than it was when I played it.”

Do you think back and shake your head at the fact you took the field with some of the greatest rugby union players of all time?

“Everyone’s mortal. Everyone’s human. I had a good career. I have very fond memories. I love the game. It’s great to reflect on past players, but they’re just human beings.”

What about the Kangaroos? First touring campaign for Tim Sheens. Are you expecting anything other than the Aussies dominating the Four-Nations?

“No. Particularly given that Tim Sheens is in charge. I’m often asked about coaches in rugby league and he’s right up there. I was fortunate enough in 1991 to have Tim Sheens as a coach. I was 31 and had played State Of Origin for a number of years, so I was probably entitled to think I knew everything, but I learnt a hell of a lot under Tim Sheens. I tell you, he’s a very good coach. You can see that in the teams he coaches, the style of football they play. I think it’s really refreshing. There’s one side I’ll watch – if I know the footy will be on TV when I’m near one – and it’s the Wests Tigers. Tim Sheens encourages good ball movement, good deception in the backs and players who aren’t afraid to have a go off a set piece. The Tigers under anyone but him might well get towelled-up.”

It ain’t the circus ... It’s sevens rugby. It ain’t the circus ... It’s sevens rugby. Images: Getty Images

Speaking of ’91, that was the year you landed that winning sideline conversion in the pelting rain at the SFS to keep the Blues alive in the series. Any magic words you gave yourself before putting boot to ball?

“A lot of people don’t realise that the week before, we played the Maroons at Lang Park and were beaten. Basically we scored a try on the bell and I had a chance to kick a goal from the sideline to draw the game and I missed.

“What I did do as a goalkicker was practise a lot. That miss just inspired me. I was out kicking balls all week. So when I finally got that shot, I was confident. I couldn’t get the ball on the mound to kick it quickly enough and I knew as soon as I’d hit it, I’d hit the sweet spot. I needed to because it was a wet night. It wasn’t an easy one, but it wasn’t an accident or fluke, either.”

You played a feature roll for the “Unbeatables” on that gloriously successful Kangaroos Tour of 1986. Does it sadden you to know that long rep tours like that are lost to league and union?

“Both codes have been great to me from a travel point of view. I do understand the workload and the commitment players have to make now and I certainly understand why they’ve scheduled games the way they have. With all the games they play throughout the year, and then their end-of-season tours, it’s very demanding. I understand it. But I still feel very fortunate that I came through at a period of full three-month rugby union tours and two-and-a-half-month league Kangaroo tours.”

– James Smith