[4] Following a failed transfer to Sydney, Smith joined Marist in the Wellington Rugby League competition.
[4] Having already played for the West Coast, Smith became a Wellington representative when he moved to Marist.
In 1965 Smith was selected for the North Island rugby league team and the following year he was first selected for the New Zealand national rugby league team, playing in two losses to Australia.
In his final season for New Zealand, Smith was a key part of the Grand Slam Kiwis, playing in all seven tests as New Zealand defeated Australia 24-3 and won three-test series against Great Britain 2-1 and France 2 wins and a draw.
He finished his career having played in a total of sixteen tests for New Zealand and thirty nine games.