Wayne Smith reveals Cancer diagnosis

Wayne Smith has revealed to Fairfax media he was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year during the Rugby Championship – his last season with the All Blacks.

“Through the Rugby Championship I knew I had it, but I didn’t really talk to anyone (inside the All Blacks). The only one was the team doctor, Tony Page, and I didn’t even tell him.

Smith underwent surgery on December 11 to remove a tumour detected in routine check-ups.

“I was getting the blood tests about every six months. It was high PSA levels that initially alerted the doctor. High levels don’t automatically mean you’ve got cancer, but it is an alert, and it led to me getting a digital exam, and he then thought, ‘Hmm..there’s a hard spot there.’ Could be nothing, but he sent me to the urologist.

“Then I had an MRI test (magnetic imaging scans), which showed up some tumours.”

But before he could have the operation to remove them, he needed confirmation that the cancer had not spread elsewhere.

“The results took a week to come through, and I was starting to picture, ‘Jeez, are there that many on the screen that they’re still counting them? Have I got it everywhere?’

“Then the text came through: ‘You’re all clear, apart from the prostate.’ It was as simple as that. The relief was enormous.”

Following the successful operation, Smith is moving forward from the ordeal. His surgeon confirmed last Wednesday that he had been cured and there were no signs of any cells being left behind. He is now focused on “a couple of little projects I started arranging immediately”.

“I’m going to help the Kobe Steelers club in Japan,” Smith said. “They have a relationship with the Chiefs, and I’m going to have an involvement with the coaches at Kobe and get a bit of coaching in from time to time.

“I’ll also be doing two to three weeks with the Italian national team coaches over the year. I’ll attend a couple of camps to have a mentoring-type role with Conor O’Shea and Mike Catt. I have a real passion for Italy, its people and their rugby, so Trish and I are looking forward to getting back there now and again.”