Smith recovered to play in Canterbury's losing grand final side and was rewarded for his season's efforts with selection in Australia's 28-man Kangaroo squad.

[citation needed] Joining Parramatta Eels along with his defecting teammates in 1996 following year in order to remain with the ARL competition, Smith's representative career continued for Queensland and Australia (against Papua New Guinea) but his 1997 season was ruined by injury.

In 1998, with rugby league re-united, Smith played in the final two Tests of the Trans-Tasman series, alongside his brother Darren, and was chosen as lock in the first international the following year, Australia's 20–14 win over New Zealand.

In Game III of the 1999 State of Origin series, Smith was cleared of a controversial high tackle on opposing forward Mark Carroll that left the Blues' prop heavily concussed.

Declining to take on the Parramatta captaincy in his final year with the club, his career appeared to be winding down after injuries and suspension saw him miss much of the second half of the season.

[7] Brisbane newspaper The Courier-Mail confirmed on 31 August 2007 that Smith was appointed to the position of assistant coach of the Souths Logan Magpies in the 2008 Queensland Cup.

[citation needed] This put him in direct opposition with brother Darren, who was head coach of rival side, Eastern Suburbs Tigers.

Smith played in the 2011 Legends of Origin charity match organised by former player Mark Geyer to raise money for Queensland flood victims.