Michaela Smith is dedicated. She lives in Alexandra and drives to Dunedin twice a week for representative training.
Smith (24), a lifeguard at the Alexandra swimming pool, loves her rugby and is prepared to make the two-hour journey to Dunedin each week.
''It is quite tiring. But when I get here, the girls are happy to see me.''
During the club season, the Alhambra-Union coaches did not make Smith travel to Dunedin for training. She wanted to join Alhambra-Union because ex-All Black Josh Kronfeld played for the club.
''Josh was my idol when I was little,'' Smith said.
''But I'm not fast enough to be a flanker myself. When I came to Alhambra-Union, I fitted in where they needed me.''
Smith made her debut for the Otago Spirit in 2009 but played only one ''friendly'' game in 2011 when the national championship was not held because of the World Cup.
She grew up on a sheep and beef farm at Goodwood, near Palmerston, and was educated at East Otago High School. However, she did not start playing rugby until she was a student at the University of Otago.
She graduated with a physical education degree in 2011 and missed the 2012 rugby season when she was working at a summer camp in Vermont in the United States.
She is enjoying being back in the Otago squad under successful coach Marty Gray.
''Marty has contributed a lot to women's rugby over the last two years,'' Smith said.
''He is quite specific and you know what you have to do. It helps to know exactly what your job in the team is.''
She also praised former All Black Kees Meeuws for his work with the scrum.
''At the start we were not all working together but we are now a close unit,'' Smith said.
Smith had a sprained ankle and missed last weekend's game against Canterbury. She has made a big contribution to the Spirit lineout and her skills were missed when Otago lost three lineouts on its own throw in the first half.
Smith also does her bit in the tight and has a significant role in securing the ball at the breakdown and driving forward.
Otago needs to get a bonus-point win against Counties-Manukau today to keep alive its hopes for a place in the final.
Women's championship
Pukekohe, today, 11.30am
Otago: Halie Hurring (captain), Michaela Baker, Lucy Anderson, Greer Muir, Anika Tiplady, Sheree Hume, Rebecca Todd, Angie Sisifa, Leyhana van Vugt, Rachel Scott, Syreeta Norris, Michaela Smith, Gemma Tuhega, Lucy Emery, Pip Love. Reserves: Paige Church, Molly Wright, Maddi Finch, Georgia Mason, Deidre Roberts, Meegan Manson, Courtney Martin.
Counties-Manukau: Hazel Tubic, Talisua Tipelu, Shontelle Dudley, Jonsal Tautari, Mele Leuluaialii, Arihiana Marino (captain), Tulua Leuluaialii, Awhina Marsh, Sharnita Woodman, Rita Lilii, Katofoekina Veainu, Cynthia Taala, Aotearoa Matau, Te Kuru Ngata-Aerengamate, Cynthia Apineru. Reserves: Eliza Hemopo, Ala Bakulich, Rona Mulitalo, Nikki Bhana, Renee Wickliffe, Piuti Samuelu.
