Smith, the Highlanders fullback and co-captain, knows all the metres and tries the backline has notched up this year have come from the hard work of those in front of him.
''They are outstanding, our forward pack. The opportunities we are getting are all off their hard work,'' Smith said.
''When we do get a try, we make sure they know it is much appreciated all the hard work they do.
''But they like it that way - just getting stuck into their work. It will be more of the same this week.
''We didn't have many beers after the game last week but once the end of the season comes we probably do owe them a few beers.''
Smith will hope he does not have to buy the refreshments for at least another week.
A victory tonight and it will be 80 minutes from history as the Highlanders face off in the final against either the Brumbies or Hurricanes.
Smith is part of an all-star backline. With the naming of Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga in the All Black 41 man-squad this week, five of the regular starting Highlanders backline have graduated to All Black honours.
The other two - Richard Buckman and Patrick Osborne - are hardly average players.
That gives the Highlanders plenty of weapons to attack, and Smith said the planning from the coaches throughout the year had been a huge help to the side.
''It is a massive credit to the coaching team and how they come together. They put a good plan together each week. I think over the last few years we have managed to learn a lot of lessons from year to year and we have managed to progress a lot.
''But we are not finished. We have a big game this weekend and, hopefully, from there we can go on.''
The Highlanders beat the Waratahs 26-19 in Dunedin in March and Smith said that match, in which he played a big part, was a tight contest.
''That game earlier in the year, it was probably different circumstances. They are probably playing a bit better now. We probably do take a wee bit of confidence out of the game but, at the same time, it is a different challenge.''
