Smith, utility back, ready for the Ghirada after quarantine “I want to quickly integrate into the 15th and collect more trophies”
TREVISO
Once the 10-day quarantine has been made, Rhyno Smith, the South African utility back (but prefers to do the extreme) who is among the novelties of Benetton 2021-22, is ready to start preparing for the Ghirada on Monday 19th. 2 + 1 contract , class 1993, 1.73 for 83 kg. And he can’t wait to get started. «My wife and I are excited about this new beginning, ever since Benetton contacted me. We had been in Italy for about ten days in 2017, we had a very good impression. The first goal is to become a precious element for the team, to integrate myself into the XV. It won’t be easy to replace a club symbol like Jayden Hayward, but this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is the first step, the second will be learning Italian. The third? Benetton has begun to obtain trophies and during my stay in Treviso I hope to collect others ».
Do you already know someone? «I played against the South African boys who are here, then when I was at the Cheetahs I played against Benetton. This year I think the Urc offers a new face to the competition, the European teams play an increasingly physical rugby, also due to the evolution of the game while the South Africans do it for the single formation of the players of the teams. I played in Super Rugby and the derbies have always been tough, tough, I’ve also played in Pro 14 and it’s a different challenge from a physical point of view. I think it will be an interesting and beautiful championship to see, hoping that South African teams will offer the best of their teams, as well as European teams for top level rugby. As a player you always want to measure yourself against the best, in the competition you have the opportunity to compete against some Springboks who have won the World Cup ».
How much will Rainbow help you? “Unfortunately I couldn’t see the final because at that moment I was traveling from South Africa, but when I turned on the wi-fi, as soon as I arrived in Italy, I received the first message from my father, he sent me a photo with the score of the final. . So I was really happy for the club, it’s always good to get to a winning club. Now it is a question of continuing on the great moment experienced. It is the first trophy and I hope it gave the boys the feeling of what it feels like to play a semi-final or a championship final, perhaps trying to make it to the Urc final. With the guys who will surely still be so hungry to repeat themselves, my goal is to give it my all. I grew up watching teams like Bulls and Stormers, needless to hide that I am pleased to meet South African clubs but rugby is a job and as such it will be nice to face them wearing the jersey of a club that comes from a great success: Benetton Rugby ». –
And. Fo.