How Will Ben Smith Go at Centre?

At long last, rugby fans will finally get to see Ben Smith at a position that has always been one that he has preferred - in the middle of the park at centre, wearing the black jersey with the number 13.

While much of Ben Smith's form in the last couple of seasons has been shown when he is playing with plenty of room at the back or on the wing, Ben Smith has always wanted to play in one of the two central midfield positions in the backline.

Indeed, such is Ben Smith's wide array of talents that he can actually play all starting double digit positions in rugby - he once played first five at club level and is an able goal kicker if needed.

So how will Ben Smith go at number 13 replacing his namesake, Conrad?

Tana Umaga - the last winger turned centre success story

A previous winger converted to centre, Tana Umaga, has advised that Ben Smith does face a tough challenge switching from the wide open spaces in the outside backs into the more confined and critical position of centre. He also hinted at the failures of converting fullbacks, Christian Cullen and Leon Macdonald into centres - although those were done at the Rugby World Cup with little preparation.

Umaga, who now coaches Counties Manukau, made the switch from wing to centre as he got older and centre is now the position the former All Black captain is remembered for.

No doubt Ben Smith has the capability to match Umaga's achievements, and probably better them - he has an uncanny knack of finding open gaps and is able to put wingers free into space. Plus, his defence is very good as shown on the wing and at fullback.

Indeed, at centre, Ben Smith could really show his attacking abilities and talent even if his try scoring count will go down slightly.

AB coaches need to find a pair to eventually succeed Wellington's finest

Furthermore, with Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith now in the autumn of their careers, and a whole army of wingers pushing for All Black selection, Ben Smith knows that to have a prolonged career in the black jersey, he must be a success at centre along with wing and fullback.

I think his apprenticeship at wing and fullback is done and Ben Smith is ready to play at centre and he'll be fantastic there and establish himself as the starting All Black centre for some time yet.