The Highlanders disbanded yesterday with their season over, and for Smith it is one to look back on fondly.
He started off as second-choice halfback. He ended the Super 15 season as a starter at both Highlanders and All Black level.
"Now I have got a bit of time to reflect on what happened, it was really a dream that came true. I never thought that this could happen and for it to happen so fast is pretty unreal," he said.
"I came down here just looking to get a bit of game time. And yet it was awesome. It was a dream year and I hope it can keep getting better."
Smith (23), who hails from Feilding, said a year's experience helped him this season, as did sorting out things off the field.
"I have just been doing those little extras that I would not have done in the past few years.
I did a bit more extra fitness this year. With the game I play, it can be real tiring on myself, so I just had to get fitter.
"I was carrying a bit of extra weight and was a bit chubbier. I could play the way I wanted to play for spurts of the game and then have to rest a bit ... now I can play the game for 80 minutes.
"Some of the big boys might not like it but that is the way I want to play the game."
His diet had changed drastically over the past 12 months, which he believed had contributed greatly to his improved performances this season.
An impressive season was simply the result of hard work, he said. But the hard work is not over yet.
After starting for the All Blacks in the three tests against Ireland, Smith wants to make it into the black jersey for the Rugby Championship.
"I have got to keep improving and keep getting fitter. It is a whole other step, test rugby, as I found out. I felt good playing in those tests but you just have to keep pushing yourself."
He was looking forward to the challenge of reaching goals set by the All Black selectors but did not believe he would be an automatic selection for the Rugby Championship.
"Fingers crossed that I make it, but you can never be too sure."
He was planning to base himself in Dunedin for the next few weeks, and keep training hard.
Smith has signed a two-year deal to extend his stay with the Highlanders, though he will still play his provincial rugby for Manawatu. He is now feeling right at home in the South.
"It is a nice, cool place, not too big, and easy to get around in. Gets a bit cold in the last month of the Super competition but that's all right. Plus we've got this stadium here, which is superb."
