All Blacks centre Conrad Smith expressed his excitement ahead of their historic match against the United States, which will be the first time New Zealand has played on American soil in 34 years.
Smith stated that the All Blacks are enjoying anonymity in the city of Chicago, Illinois as they were free to walk about largely unrecognised by the local population, as they explored the Windy City.
“We enjoyed the walk, the different sites and playing in a place we haven’t played at before. For old guys like myself, it’s a bit of a novelty but I think the guys will enjoy the week.
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“I don’t think we can walk down the street in most of the places we usually play in, like we did today. It’s part of the refreshing nature that no-one knows us while we’re walking down the street,” he said.
A veteran of 83 Test appearances, the 33-year-old says he never thought he’d pull on the black jersey in the United States, a factor that was helping to increase excitement within the squad.
“It’s special,” Smith told a news conference after the team took a stroll through the streets of Chicago.
“Even playing in Chicago. I dreamt of being an All Black as a youngster but to be playing in the States and particularly at Soldier Field, even five years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that so it’s pretty special, it’s unique, an opportunity that hasn’t come round before.
“I think we’ve embraced that already and we’ve talked about it and it will give a real excitement and edge to the team,” he added.
Despite the Chicago Bulls basketball team and ice hockey’s Blackhawks both playing at home over the weekend, Smith was confident they would have little trouble appealing to Chicago natives and the American population at large.
“I think the American people, they love their sport and it’s a great sport,” he said.
“There is a few similarities with other sports, obviously NFL most similar, but there’s enough different about it and I think, those few Americans that I’ve met that watch the game, love it.
“A lot of the world play it and most people say that if America got into it and got some of their athletes to play it they could be a real force. I think that’s enough reason to give it a look, and they might enjoy it.”