After a disappointing tour of Europe and defeats by England, the Cup favourite, and France, the side had undergone a change of style that they had embraced and developed.
But he acknowledged that World Cups brought the best out of side, and while beaten previously, they played differently at World Cups and could be harder to beat.
"We've got to go in with that attitude as well, playing for our country, but also playing free so we can put our game on the field," he said.
Smith said the experienced members of the side had been working with younger players about what they could expect in front of such a big crowd. He said they needed to remember the game would go so quickly, and they needed to be able to make their mark.
Regarding the tournament overall, Smith said his experience was it was necessary to keep improving and keep on top of the challenges as they emerged.
They knew other sides would look at them, just as New Zealand researched their opponents.
It was about finding the Achilles' heels of opponents and strengthening their own.
Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry, who is an assistant coach for the Black Ferns, said having close to a full-house at Eden Park would be hugely stimulating for women's rugby.
It was natural to be nervous, especially given it was the opening game, something all sides wanted to get behind them after all the build-up and anticipation.
Australia, their first opponents, had been together for two or three weeks and would be the best they could be, and the Black Ferns would need to take that on board.
"I think it will be a big Test," he said.
Women didn't play as often as men - probably only 50 per cent - but they were passionate about the game, loved playing and revelled in the opportunities for consistent rugby in a World Cup.
Differences in coaching women were they asked a lot more questions, and were more apprehensive because, unlike men, they hadn't started playing the game when they were five years of age. Men had a base of knowledge in the playing of the game, a situation compounded because many women didn't start playing until much later in their lives.
"The thing that has surprised me is that players keep coming out of the woodwork…it's a new experience. I think it's a new experience for everybody," he said.
There was also a need to be ready to cope with the unexpected during the tournament, such as the five-eighths crisis that developed for them when New Zealand needed five players in that position to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"The unexpected will happen in a tournament and you've just got to handle it. That was big in our time and I'm sure there will be incidents in this tournament where the unexpected will happen: red card, injury to key players and how you handle those things because, at the end of the day, you have got no excuse, you've just got to try and do the business."
"We've got to go in with that attitude as well, playing for our country, but also playing free so we can put our game on the field," he said.
Smith said the experienced members of the side had been working with younger players about what they could expect in front of such a big crowd. He said the important thing they needed to remember was the game would go so quickly and they needed to be able to make their mark.
Regarding the tournament overall, Smith said his experience was it was necessary to keep improving, and keep on top of the challenges as they emerged.
They knew other sides would be looking at them, just as New Zealand were researching their opponents.
It was about finding the Achilles heels of opponents, and strengthening their own.
Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry, who is an assistant coach for the Black Ferns said having close to a full house at Eden Park would be hugely stimulating for women's rugby.
It was natural to be nervous, especially given it is the opening game, something all sides wanted to get behind them after all the build-up and anticipation.
Australia, their first opponents, had been together for two or three weeks and would be the best they could be and the Black Ferns would need to take that on board.
"I think it will be a big Test," he said.
Women didn't play as often as men's sides, probably only 50 per cent, but they were passionate about the game, loved playing and were revelling in the opportunities for consistent rugby in a World Cup.
Differences coaching women were they asked a lot more questions, were more apprehensive because, unlike men, they hadn't started playing the game when they were five years of age. Men had a greater base of knowledge in the playing of the game, a situation compounded because many women didn't start playing until much later in their lives.
"The thing that has surprised me is that players keep coming out of the woodwork…it's a new experience. I think it's a new experience for everybody," he said.
There was also a need to be ready to cope with the unexpected during the tournament, such as the five-eighths crisis that developed for them when New Zealand needed five players in that position to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"The unexpected will happen in a tournament and you've just got to handle it. That was big in our time and I'm sure there will be incidents in this tournament where the unexpected will happen: red card, injury to key players and how you handle those things because, at the end of the day, you have got no excuse, you've just got to try and do the business."