Before this starts getting all touchy-feely, and you begin to shed a tear, let me explain in words, why this is so?
Well, where does one start?… On the field… Exactly!
If Dan Carter is the brains of the All Black backline, then Conrad Smith is the Backbone. If Richard Kahui is the beauty in the backline, then Conrad Smith is the beast. If Joe Rokocoko is the wingman, the speedster in the backline, then Conrad Smith is the Hovercraft on legs… Er, what? Watch the man run!
If you are still concerned where this post is heading, what I am communicating, or trying to, is that Conrad Smith, with ever increasing frequency, is the skinny guy with the historically big hair in a muscular and crew cut world… WHAT THE…?
He Stands Out!
There is something different about Conrad, and it has nothing to do with his hair gel.
Yes, there is a reason Conrad Smith has a mortgage on the #13 All Black jersey, and while this has much to do with what takes place every 80 minutes on a Saturday Test Match night, let me suggest there are other reasons why Conrad [Now to be forever referenced and referred to as C-Rad] is making such an impact in the black jersey, which is being echoed around this Rugby world, with thousands of little C-Rads pretending to be their own little hovercraft who could.
A reason why this is so, came to this blogger’s attention when Test Season kicked off in the Naki, New Plymouth, when the Irish came to town.
Yes, it was some time ago, but around this Test Match, made infamous when Irish number 8, Jamie Heaslip, channelled the Riverdance [insert: Irish Dancing], and was sent off for such public displays of tomfoolery. This act of stupidity ended any possibility of a contest, with an All Black rout becoming a very Irish reality. Thank the Lord they still have their Guinness… and U2!
However, it was around this time that C-Rad was to speak in the context of SBW, Sonny Bill Williams [Ladies, no mental pictures] who confirmed that he was coming Home for a shot at the All Blacks. In light of this athlete’s potential, C-Rad was to say words to the effect that if it was the best thing for the Black Jersey and for the All Blacks, to give his place in the team to SBW, then he would give this up for the greater good.
When I read this, I leapt out loud, exclaiming, “YES,” C-Rad Smith, the skinny rugby guy in the muscular man’s world gets it, and we love him for it [Note to self: Stop thinking out-loud]!
This also explains why C-Rad makes such a huge impact as a giant on the field, because he is drawn in and is playing for, a bigger vision than just his own personal ‘sporting’ gain, with such a perspective motivating and pushing him onto greater things.
In a world where we see too many examples of people achieving at the expense of others, C-Rad Smith has famed not only a better way, but a more complete vision for our own personal adventures under the Sun. When such is practiced, it also proves to be the more successful way, as it sweeps us up into this larger vision, giving us something much more brilliant to play for.
The secret of C-Rad is now out, with the proof of his perspective made glorious in his play.
If Jimmy Cowan provides the fizz to the backline [although from reports, Cory Jane might have a mortgage on the Fizzy], then C-Rad Smith is the fine wine, who just keeps getting better with age and time, as with each performance he puts ‘owned’ on the #13 jersey, and now we all have a good understanding why.
However, this also provides a lesson to us followers of the team.
As supporters of our team shrouded in their blackness, as we grab hold of C-Rad Smith, we need to grab hold of his complete All Black vision and support our team, no matter who is playing in a given jersey, no matter what the scoreboard is presently indicating, and no matter what the final result may be. They are our team… period.
We at BackingBlack believe in this vision and want to help make this a reality as we go ALL on BLACK now, always, ALL of the Time, and in every way.
What say you?
To 2011 and beyond!
Until Next Time
iamjonnyking
