Smith (27) is set to start for the team when it takes on the Blues in its opening game of the 2016 competition.
The 47-test All Black said he could not wait for the season to start.
"You can really feel the edge about us at training this week. We get to play a proper game,'' he said.
"We get a little bit sick of smashing into each other and hitting each other for nothing. Now, you can really go out there and earn something. Now, from Friday on, everything counts.
"There are no more practice games, rolling subs and all that. The best team wins on the day.''
Smith said the side would not feel any outside influence on wanting to repeat as champion.
"The pressure for us is on ourselves and what we get to do. It does not change too much for us. I would not say everyone respects us.
"We are just going out to earn more respect ... nothing changes for us. Day by day, week by week, we're still the same team. Just about getting the best results every week.''
Not being rated as the favourite to win the competition was not something which the team worried about.
"It's an outside factor for us. It has never been a big thing. If we earn the respect of our mates and coaches and management, that is all we can ask for.
"It is about playing for our people and doing what things are right.
"I think our fans have had a good, positive outlook. Our stadium brings some excitement. We look to play an exciting style in our stadium.''
Smith had a year to remember in 2015, being part of the success of the All Blacks and the Highlanders.
But he is not living in the past.
That was then and this is now.
"It feels like an eternity now. Good memories and special times. I'm pretty excited about this Super rugby. These Blues excite me and that is all I am focusing on at the moment.
"It is easy to look forward. It does feel like a whole lot of months ago. It is good to have the confidence of what you were able to achieve last year with the All Blacks and Highlanders.
"I use all that learning to becoming a better player, better leader and better person too.''
Smith had a couple of months off and admitted it was not a period of high activity.
"Everyone thinks you trip around but when you are January to November full on, it is good to do nothing. I just hung out with family, did a bit of golf, bit of fishing. Not even sure I could get even par. I beat my granddad once so I was pretty happy with that.
"It is good to get away from rugby. But once January rolled around, you could see the boys were working hard and the buzz from rugby was coming back. I started watching the sevens. I am excited that rugby is back on TV; it is really good to come back.
"You could say I am a code head and pretty excited to watch rugby all weekend again.''
Smith warns the Blues on Friday night at Eden Park will be a tough nut to crack.
"They'll be just like we felt after 2013, angry about the season we have had and coming into 2014 we had a chip and that. But we have to worry about what we are going to do.''
