Ben Smith(CLXIX)

Position: Outside Back Born: 1/6/1988 Physical: 186m, 94kg (6'4", 207lb) Test Debut: v Italy in Milan 15 November 2009 Spectacular speed, sound defence and reliability under the high ball has made All Blacks Vice Captain Ben Smith one of the team's go-to guys. Smith has had a stunning run of form since cementing his spot in the All Blacks side in 2012. He played in 10 Tests that year, then stepped things up a gear in 2013 in an outstanding season, appearing in every Test as the All Blacks became the first international side in the professional era to go through the season unbeaten. Come 2014 and Smith was again an automatic selection in the All Blacks, carrying a heavy workload. Smith was a New Zealand Under 21 squad member in 2007 alongside current All Blacks teammates Owen Franks and Charlie Faumuina. He won a Commonwealth Games gold medal with the All Blacks Sevens team in Delhi in 2010. Smith spent a 'gap year' in Bristol, England, where he played for the Old Colstonians club, who supported him during RWC 2015.He has been nominated for five national and international awards, including international Player of the Year. He played in 10 Tests in 2015 and was one of the All Blacks that played all seven matches during the Rugby World Cup 2015.