This is despite speculation that he could double his wage by doing so. Smith also backed his friend and teammate Budge Pountney who quit the international scene this week, accusing the SRU of a lack of professionalism. He said: "I would like to put on record my support for Budge Pountney as a matter of principle. It is a disappointing situation and I hope that the points raised will be examined in a thorough and open-minded way. They should not be dismissed as mere whingeing or as a direct consequence of Budge's recent injury, as has been suggested."