Smith started in the No 13 jersey for the All Blacks on Saturday night and had, by his standards, a quiet game, in what has been a stellar year for the Green Island man.
He made one fine break late in the game but his 70 minutes on the field were in more of a supporting role than being the star of the show.
Smith, though, wants to continue his education in the midfield.
''I did enjoy the challenge of playing there. I'll probably take a few learnings from the game. There were times out there when I could have done things a little bit better,'' Smith said after the game.
''But I'm happy to be out there. I've just got to learn as much as I can in that position and I'm just happy that we came away with the win. Hopefully, I'll get selected there again and I can keep on learning the position.''
On defence, Smith got caught a couple of times, being caught flat-footed as the Wallabies went hard on attack.
Defence in the midfield is more about timing and position, with communication an important tool. Tackling in the back three is less about team work and more about one-on-one defence.
''It is a totally different position on defence. You have to be very much aware of what is going on inside you and working with the people there.''
All Black assistant coach Ian Foster praised Smith's game and said he got through plenty of work.
''He should be really pleased with that start. He did lots of little things well, things off the ball, that you do not see,'' Foster said.
''I thought he was really good defensively. He knew what was happening and he knew when to go. He got beaten a couple of times but that is going to happen.''
Smith's replacement on the right wing, Charles Piutau, had a fine run-on debut and looked lively on attack and defence.