If there was ever a good time for a season ending injury, 2020’s Covid interrupted season was probably it. 

Barker and NSW Gen Blue backrower Ned Slack Smith missed last season following a knee reconstruction but has returned in 2021 as a bigger, stronger and more complete rugby player. 

“The rehab all went really well and it gave me plenty of time to spend in the gym,” the Newport Breakers junior told Rugby News. 

“We get given a gym program to follow from the Gen Blue coaches so I was able to focus on that. It’s pretty simple, you just need to get the sessions in and keep your nutrition right.

“During the offseason when I was going really hard, I was eating six meals a day to try to gain weight. Chicken and rice is probably my favourite, I keep it nice and simple.”

Slack Smith has been a standout for Barker through the schoolboy trial period and in the opening two rounds of the 2021 CAS competition.

“Things have gone well so far this year, we’ve only had one loss but we know the real test for us will come in the final three rounds of the season,” Slack Smith said. 

“We’ve got a really talented side though and a lot of the boys are still quite young so that’s a really good sign for the years ahead. It’s a strong team across the board, we don’t really have any weak links.

Barker will take on Waverley in a top of the table clash when the season resumes, currently scheduled for July 17, then face Trinity and Knox in the final rounds of the season. 

“Waverley look really good, I don’t think they’ve lost a game so far this year. Their forward pack is really strong and I’d say they are the team to beat. Knox are also a really good squad and the other schools like Trinity also have plenty of talent so it’s going to be tough.”

The clash against Waverley will see Slack Smith face CAS and NSW Gen Blue teammates Clem Halaholo and Fritz Jahnke-Tavana. 

“They’re big boys so we’ve just got to chop them low and make sure we don’t give them any easy metres through the middle. 

“If we can do that, then I think we can get them on the outside.”

Slack Smith said he likes to play a fairly traditional No.8 role, based around plenty of carries, tackles and the occasional pilfer and added he was happy to move around the back row and play at No.6 or No.7 if needed. 

After impressing in the NSW Schools trial matches played earlier this month, he was selected at No.7 in the NSW Gen Blue U18s team to play Queensland, however those matches were postponed due to the Covid outbreak. 

Slack Smith has been involved in the restructured Gen Blue program for a number of seasons now and said he’s looking forward to getting a chance to play in NSW colours later this year. 

“It’s been great to train consistently with Gen Blue in a big group of boys all in the same age group and it’s really disappointing that we didn’t get to play last week because I think we would have had Queensland. 

“It’s a great program. Most weeks we have one session a week at the Waratahs and then they allow us to focus on our school and club commitments outside of that. But we have a program to follow, particularly in the gym.”

While he is still finalising his plans for next season, Slack Smith said he’d like to follow his older brothers and play his club rugby at Warringah, a club he thinks can help him push for higher honours. 

“In the long run, I’d love to play professional rugby and make a career out of it. It’d be pretty special to get paid to play footy and do something you love. 

“At the moment though, I’m just focussed on training hard and enjoying my footy. I’m trying not to think too much about selections later this year and after that. 

“If I keep playing well and we’re winning as a team, then hopefully it’ll take care of itself but selection in the Aussie U18s team at the end of the year is definitely a goal.”