The 26-year-old scrum-half was in the crowd at the old Wembley to cheer Saints to victory over Bradford in the 1996 and 1997 finals and returned to the renovated national stadium in 2007 to witness their victory over Catalan Dragons.
But his first-team chances at St Helens were restricted and it took a move to Wigan, via tough stints at Salford and Crusaders, to enable him to finally get the chance to taste the big time.
“This is why I came to Wigan, to play in these big games,” said Smith as he prepares to face Hull next Saturday. “Getting to play at Wembley is a childhood dream.
“I went as a kid and watched a couple of finals there and, growing up, it’s something you dream of doing. It’s going to be fantastic, I’m sure.”
Smith, who was cup-tied for Wigan’s semi-final defeat by Leeds last season, has been inundated with requests for Wembley tickets but admits that watching Wigan is simply too difficult for some members of his Saints-supporting family.
“Eleven of them so far are coming,” he said. “It’s pretty hard because they’re from St Helens, the others don’t want to come.
“But my mum and dad, my girlfriend, her mum and dad and a few uncles and cousins are coming.
“It will be a proud moment for me walking out there and I’m sure it will be a proud moment for my mum and dad who have supported me all the way through.”
Smith is looking forward to a reunion with Hull stand-off Daniel Holdsworth, his old Salford half-back partner with whom he has remained close friends since they went their different ways towards the end of last season.
The 29-year-old Australian has experienced an injury-hit first season at the KC Stadium but he was man of the match in Hull’s surprise semi-final win over Warrington last month.
“I keep in touch with DJ,” Smith said. “He’s a great lad, pretty laid-back like me. We’ve a pretty similar temperament.
“I know he’s enjoying it at Hull. That’s why he left Salford, too, to play in the big games. I’m made up for him but hopefully I can get one over on him.”
Holdsworth has missed 12 matches so far this year due to head and calf injuries and was absent when Wigan won 28-20 at the KC Stadium in April but Hull have not lost since he made his return to their line-up for the Cup semi-final.
Smith added: “He’s a great player, he really gets them ticking with his kicking game and they miss him when he’s out.
“He’s a big part of what they do and so is Jacob Miller. The two half-backs are really good, they get them around the field really well.
“They’ve also strike players all over the field, that’s why they are in the final.
“They’ve had a great run and they’ve got some great form going into the final.
“I watched the Hull KR game where their defence was fantastic. We’re going to have to come up with something special because they work well as a team.”
Rugby League - Smith ready for dream outing
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