Smith, the All Black starting No 9 from last year, says he is well rested after a break and cannot wait to get out on to Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
''This year it is an exciting feeling, with a whole lot of young guys. The management has got it right with on and off-field stuff,'' he said.
''We just can't wait to get out there.''
The man they call Nugget has had a restful couple of months and feels in a much better place than he did this time last year.
''I'm itching to get out there, which is good this time around. I've stayed away as long as I could, which I learned from last year.
''It was easy to stay away. You just don't come in. If you do come in, you just do your work and then go away. You don't get trapped talking to people. I wandered down to training a few times but I did not think they knew I was there.''
Smith was part of the star-studded Highlanders side last year which went into the season with high hopes only to fall down flat.
''Mentally, I am in a better place than I was last year. Just putting less pressure on myself. I'm feeling refreshed. We have got no public pressure. This time last year we had the best team on paper but we did not perform.
''But now it is like a few years ago. We work hard and earn a bit of respect. Hopefully stay down here, be humble guys, go about our work and for us that is what really works.
''We have got a good bunch of young guys. We learned a lot of lessons last year. Last year we just had pressures on us and knew we could win but we didn't.''
Smith (25) tried too hard last year, taking the weight of the team on his shoulders. He is not aiming to repeat that.
''For me, it is keeping it pretty short and pretty basic. Just doing my core roles and focusing on the short term. That is all I am trying to do. Just being the best I can for the team.
''My game does not really change too much. I just do the basics and try to do them well, work hard and communicate really well. If everyone does their job and is not worrying about other people then we should go well.''
Smith said after all the training the rest of the side had gone through, it was time to get out and play.
During his down time, Smith was not totally idle.
He bought a house in Dunedin two days before he went on the end-of-year All Black tour, so when he got back it was time to get some furnishings.
''I had it all lined up and when I got home I had a big spending spree. It was awesome.
''I always wanted to get a house down here. It was more of a factor of where. Houses down here go really quick. Lots of them do not even make the market.
''But I just put the feelers out through a few people.''
Smith now has a sofa to sit on and is fully focused on his day job.
He will be a key man tonight and his battle with Piri Weepu will go some way to deciding the match.
The Highlanders say this is not a season of redemption but a win tonight will help heal scars from last year.
They need to win tonight to boost confidence in their young side. The team must play mistake-free, simple rugby and kick the goals when they come along. The home team must dominate through its tight five and find good territory.
Expectations are not high for the Highlanders but a win tonight will go some way to boosting spirits.
The Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy is at stake. The Highlanders hold the trophy after winning the last match between the sides 38-28, at Forsyth Barr Stadium last year.