in august 2008, smith was named in the new zealand training squad for the 2008 rugby league world cup. later in the season smith played in the 2008 nrl grand final defeat by manly, starting in the . smith signed a 3-year contract with the st. george illawarra dragons starting in 2009 to be a part of the new wayne bennett era at the dragons. in october 2008, he was named in the final 24-man new zealand kiwis squad. smith was a member of the world cup-winning new zealand team beating australia in the 2008 world cup final at suncorp stadium in brisbane, queensland.