Prime Ben Smith was UNREAL

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  • Опубликовано: 24 дек 2024

Комментарии • 76

  • @Bumble21
    @Bumble21 Год назад +37

    I bumped into Ben Smith at the supermarket once, just turned the corner and there he was. Zero ego or anything, apologised for being in the way and moved his trolley. Legend on and off the field.

  • @graybollocks
    @graybollocks Год назад +65

    I never quite understood what it was that made Ben Smith such an exceptional player. Didn’t have the obvious express pace of Beauden Barrett. Nehe Milner-Skudder had the footwork. Not a physical freak like Sonny Bill. But What. A. Player. So often clearly the best player on the pitch, even for the All Blacks. Defensively outstanding. Maybe the cleverest player I have ever seen.

    • @felipegonzalez8722
      @felipegonzalez8722 Год назад +5

      It’s called timing ⏱️ the awareness of being at the right place in the right time. Like Conrad Smith or Christian Cullen

    • @robertmiller2173
      @robertmiller2173 7 месяцев назад +4

      I think he was faster than Baudie, way smarter than SBW, it was the smiths Conrad, Aron, and Ben!

    • @Garrett1240
      @Garrett1240 7 месяцев назад +1

      He and Nick Abendanon were the most clever fulbacks who didn't have obvious freakish physical gifts.

    • @jraz6102
      @jraz6102 7 месяцев назад +1

      In basketball they call it court awareness, which Ben Smith has in abundance. And while I agree with the others his timing is a crucial skill- to overuse the basketball analogies one of his massive gifts is akin to Luka Doncic's gift of constant change of pace and a very, very good ability to decelerate which creates gaps most players can't open up with a simple step etc.

    • @archvermin
      @archvermin 7 месяцев назад

      He's like a blood hound. Often I've seen him take on the defensive line when there's no apparent gap to exploit. A lot of times he's met with closed gates, but just as often he would somehow make meters and put defence on the back foot. And here's one of his most precious quality - I've never seen him gets turned over when he's carrying.

  • @tsherwood2112
    @tsherwood2112 Год назад +44

    The tackle on Tuilagi in the first clip was unreal, how he won the ball at the breakdown too. That contribution was worth a try, simple as

    • @duchessix6
      @duchessix6 Год назад

      i like the way the lady reacts in the back. life is good with those simple pleasures

  • @PocketRugby
    @PocketRugby Год назад +49

    If you were to build a prototype model performer in a lab to be able to demonstrate every skill in rugby you need, Ben Smith would be it. Every single child needs to watch him! Great video - thank you.
    Ps, all skills except scrummaging, lifting and hooking 😂

  • @GaryPeters-nv8pj
    @GaryPeters-nv8pj Год назад +21

    Remember the ABC of Smiths? Aaron, Ben and Conrad. Legend.

    • @archvermin
      @archvermin 7 месяцев назад

      I remember. The Smith-Triumvirate I used to call it. Good times.

  • @gerardsearancke6357
    @gerardsearancke6357 Год назад +4

    I am so happy to see Ben Smith get some love. We never knew how important he was until he left. Always in the right place, at the right time and always made the right plays.

  • @dancarter9789
    @dancarter9789 Год назад +3

    Best all round player I have ever seen. Excellent footwork, defence, positioning, game-reading, handling and in the air.

  • @mzanziman9150
    @mzanziman9150 Год назад +14

    Thanks for this great reminder of an all round legend

  • @ryandougall
    @ryandougall Год назад +13

    For me one of the best full backs there has been arguably underrated not the biggest player but technically very gifted player

    • @Karma-qt4ji
      @Karma-qt4ji Год назад +1

      I reckon he is one of the reasons the All Blacks "failed" at the 2019 RWC.

    • @kingpower4631
      @kingpower4631 Месяц назад

      @@Karma-qt4ji how so? he didn't play?

    • @Karma-qt4ji
      @Karma-qt4ji Месяц назад

      @@kingpower4631 That's how so.
      Against England, Beauden was proven to be what we all know he was - a very good attacking FB but not so good on the exit. In the backline with him you had Bridge, Reece, Goodhue, ALB... all good players, but also good with ball in hand and not so good at getting out of the 22. England pinned you there in exactly the same way you did to the Springboks in 2015 and you, like the Springboks, cannot score points if you're stuck in your 22.
      That's a long way of saying BS should have played, if not in place of Beauden then in place of Bridge. Or even from the bench.

    • @kingpower4631
      @kingpower4631 Месяц назад

      @@Karma-qt4ji i remember that issue i recckon they thought they'd win without ben smith because the all blacks always win

  • @montynaiduki4651
    @montynaiduki4651 Год назад +5

    Finally a proper Ben Smith highlights
    @Andrew Forde Thanks you

  • @nabney7777
    @nabney7777 Год назад +8

    I read somewhere that Will Jordan is the new Ben Smith - and there is much to be said for that comparison. The situational awareness, positioning, and choice of action (run, kick, pass) has some similarities.

    • @AndrewDavidForde
      @AndrewDavidForde  Год назад +3

      I made the mistake of sarcasticaly tweeting that Will Jordan was like Ben Smith but good, shows how much the All Blacks rate Smith because I got absolutely roasted in my replies!

  • @Mostlycars888
    @Mostlycars888 Год назад +7

    Message from a 4-time World Champion supporter....Ben Smith imo was the most complete 15 I've ever seen and I always hated it when we faced him, as he always found a way to score against us. Respect from the Republic🫡

  • @joeboonmusic4004
    @joeboonmusic4004 Год назад +13

    My favourite player. In my opinion the greatest utility back of all time.

  • @harryocallaghan8082
    @harryocallaghan8082 Год назад +2

    Reminds me a lot of Hugo Keenan. Not the biggest man on the park but incredible rugby brain. Nearly always get passed the first defenders. Solid under the high ball, deceptively strong & fast, very good tackler and reliable kicker. Always pops up in the right spaces and can step off both feet.

  • @jonnybaynham1689
    @jonnybaynham1689 Год назад +10

    Served as an example that natural individual talent matched with working on excellence in the basics is key.
    Smith made his debut in 09 but only came to the fore in 13 when Hansen recognized Smith raised his game in defence, high ball, and positional excellence. Became the best FB in the world at that point.
    For all the natural talents of people like LRZ, Arundell, they wont make nearly the impact Smith made on a game until they master these aspects

  • @davidcorkill6810
    @davidcorkill6810 Год назад +3

    Thank you once again Andrew. Great set of highlights showcasing Ben Smith's range of skills. Amazing on attack and defense and just sublime under the high ball.

  • @theayviishow2559
    @theayviishow2559 Год назад +8

    An All Black Legend, easily one of the greats

  • @jraz6102
    @jraz6102 7 месяцев назад +1

    Ben Smith. A true immortal of the game. Among his many gifts... positional awareness, change of pace, fearlessness and most underated skill of all skills IMO the ability to decelerate to create gaps. And also a true Gent. Onya lad!

  • @ロッテファン-j2g
    @ロッテファン-j2g 11 месяцев назад +2

    I remember a 15 year old me wondering why we didn’t play him that much in the 19 World Cup, still kinda baffled

  • @good_fats
    @good_fats Год назад +6

    Yes thank you! Favorite player of all time

  • @cory1691
    @cory1691 Год назад +4

    Amazing rugby IQ. All round skill. Legend

  • @falkkiwiben
    @falkkiwiben Год назад +10

    No one really like him since. Penaud has some similarities, but Smith's sheer intelligence on the wing was insane. I was too young when he was at his prime to remember everything, but wow what an inspiration.

    • @joeboonmusic4004
      @joeboonmusic4004 Год назад

      Jordan is the closest, I'd say.

    • @falkkiwiben
      @falkkiwiben Год назад

      @@joeboonmusic4004 I agree, but I'm kiwi and trying to be unbiased ;)

    • @Keeks749
      @Keeks749 Год назад

      Hugo Keenan has a chance. Doesn't look like he should be a pro sports player, but is consistently one of the best players on the field. It took me a while to figure out who he reminded me of, but it's Ben from accounts

    • @joeboonmusic4004
      @joeboonmusic4004 Год назад

      @@falkkiwiben Hahaha oh no need for modesty! Jordan is the real deal, as are the Barretts. I forget how young Jordan still is, too. Frightening prospect.

    • @joeboonmusic4004
      @joeboonmusic4004 Год назад

      @@Keeks749 With you there, for sure. Probably the full-back I'd most want in my team out of the current 15s. He makes you completely forget his small stature. The closest England have to a potential Ben Smith is Arundell. He's super young and fast as hell, can imagine him getting to Ben Smith heights if he keeps pushing and working on his defence.

  • @shortspecimen
    @shortspecimen Год назад +6

    That fist tackle was actually incredible

  • @godisbollocks
    @godisbollocks Год назад +3

    It was really dumb of them not to start Ben Smith in that 2019 semifinal against England.

  • @mikemcgrory1128
    @mikemcgrory1128 Год назад +3

    Best ever chasing the high ball & regathering & so smart in all
    Other facets of the game

  • @lewisafal
    @lewisafal Год назад +2

    Some players make everything look effortless, not this guy. Everything he did was seemingly out of pure grit.

  • @MylesspainBell
    @MylesspainBell 4 дня назад

    The smith era was the best. Aaron, Conrad & Ben were next level. Ben is definitely up there in the top 5 of wingers & fullback in regards to the black jersey. Just an absolute beast of an all round player.

  • @ljawgtn1393
    @ljawgtn1393 6 месяцев назад

    Love that last try and the way the Commentator says it, kind of like a soccer commentator "......and the Cup ------------- is his.

  • @francariglino
    @francariglino 3 месяца назад

    Ben Smith between 2013-2019 is just peak, he was great as a Highlander but wearing the ABS jersey, he was always top tier backline players, best fullback ever imo

  • @SocialObject
    @SocialObject Год назад +2

    Only NZ produce such intelligent, all-round back three players like Ben Smith. Stuff of nightmares to support against. Love from England x

  • @nickbenfell4327
    @nickbenfell4327 7 месяцев назад +1

    Simply the best of the best. A true Otago man.

  • @jonplayle6954
    @jonplayle6954 Год назад +1

    Always won the ball back from a high kick from simply keeping his eyes on the ball he was a freak at that

  • @greensmith25
    @greensmith25 Год назад +2

    the goat from accounts

  • @RRSmurf
    @RRSmurf Год назад +3

    He and Jerome Kaino my favourite AB's!

  • @Me123-onMe
    @Me123-onMe Год назад +3

    He was so incredibly fast!

  • @rory4016
    @rory4016 Год назад +3

    arguably the best 15 of all time, ridiculous player

  • @Hammersteyn
    @Hammersteyn Год назад +1

    1:58 Of course it's Faf 😂

  • @mattjohannes6074
    @mattjohannes6074 Год назад +3

    My favourite rugby player of all time

  • @robertmiller2173
    @robertmiller2173 7 месяцев назад +2

    Bender the Great! Fantastic!

  • @joepunk90
    @joepunk90 Год назад +1

    One of the tries in this video (against wales) was his last try for the ABs at the 2019 RWC .So prime Ben Smith was still Prime when he retired from international rugby!
    #BenFromAccounts

  • @aphiwembande8661
    @aphiwembande8661 Год назад +1

    12 - Nonu
    13 - C.Smith
    14 - B. Smith
    As a Bok fan it was over before it even started😭

  • @acea2941
    @acea2941 Год назад +2

    One of the greatest ❤

  • @andrewwest8334
    @andrewwest8334 Год назад +2

    Incredible player, Bin Smuth!

  • @slambo70
    @slambo70 9 месяцев назад +1

    He would have been first pick in any team in the world for a bit there.
    Wonderful player

  • @burninggiraffe6615
    @burninggiraffe6615 Год назад +1

    Always good seeing Folau be put in his place. God didn’t help him then

    • @Karma-qt4ji
      @Karma-qt4ji Год назад

      God was just his excuse to be a bigoted arsehole.

  • @liamdell4202
    @liamdell4202 8 месяцев назад +1

    Dunedin legend! Best 15 there has ever been, simple!

  • @jayperie2337
    @jayperie2337 Год назад

    Ben Smith and Conrad Smith were both wonderful.

  • @godisbollocks
    @godisbollocks Год назад +1

    Top 3 All Blacks fullback ever.

  • @HB84hunt
    @HB84hunt 2 месяца назад

    Can’t believe that Hansen and co played Bridge over this man in 2019.

  • @samnaga1389
    @samnaga1389 Год назад

    Would you be able to do Rob Horne ?

  • @JaleRataubera
    @JaleRataubera Год назад

    Never disappoints...

  • @Hatunrumioc
    @Hatunrumioc 3 месяца назад

    One of the best players I've ever seen.

  • @nevetswhy123
    @nevetswhy123 Месяц назад

    Ben was truly world class, but Cullen was the GOAT.

  • @onnie9summers
    @onnie9summers Год назад

    What a player!
    But Kiwis pronounce it 'Bin Smith' 😆

  • @Connor6569
    @Connor6569 Год назад

    I guarantee that catch in the air out of Picamoles hands would have been a penalty if he didn't get the ball... ''Wasn't in a realistic position'' Outstanding catch.