Ben Smith feels Rugby Championship pivotal for All Blacks' World Cup campaign

New Zealand utility back Ben Smith insisted that the upcoming Rugby Championship will set the precedent for All Blacks' World Cup campaign to be played later this year in Japan.

Smith with 76-Test appearance will be key to All Blacks' third consecutive title bid and the 33-year-old insisted that improving attack against line speed and employing two-sided attack would be key to surprise the opponents.

“You don’t become predictable so other teams only defend one side of the rucks. I think the more you have a 15 or a 10, or whoever, owning both sides of the ruck the more effective your game is going to be,” he told the All Blacks’ official website.

“It’s something I’ve been working on and it’s something that I’m growing in my game.”

Smith is also looking forward to the clash against Argentina in the opening game of the Rugby Championship tournament.

“Every player wants to go forward and be part of this campaign whoever it is,” added Smith.

“Against Argentina next week they will get the first opportunity and that’s pretty exciting.

“As players that’s what we look at a week-by-week sort of thing and preparing each week as well as we can to get out there and do the job for the rest of the team.”