Sir Wayne remembered the difficult four years leading up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup after the disastrous loss in 2007. In the 2012, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby. He has become the only coach to win three Rugby World Cups - as assistant coach in 20 with the All Blacks, and in 2022 as head coach with the Black Ferns. I always say to players keep going as long as you can because they're the best days of your life.' 'I never ever imagined that the game would go professional and we would end up with careers in the game as coaches, but here we are. Playing rugby was a great joy but he got to a point where he could not play anymore but still wanted to be part of the team - so he switched to coaching. Til the day I die, I'll be following the game and enjoying it.' 'It's been a huge part of our life, of our family life. Dad passed away eight years ago but he was a great driver of my junior career and then followed religiously when I went down Canterbury and played for Canterbury and played for the All Blacks. 'It's just always been in my blood, in my family's blood. I was a wee little fellow when I started, used to get beaten up and then I as I grew older I got better at it. I learnt how to play rugby through the backyard rugby bullrush, down at the local field. His love for rugby started from his childhood, when the sport was a stronghold.

Over his career, Sir Wayne has been involved in 174 All Blacks Tests, of which he won 143, and more than 200 games. 'I see it as a huge honour but also I feel a lot of gratitude, because rugby is a team game, you can't achieve anything yourself, so you're so reliant on other people, on players, your coaches, your staff, the support you get from your family.' 'It makes them proud and I think it's great for Mum to see that I get this award. Wayne Smith with the Rugby World Cup winners trophy.

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