And fellow centre Hurley, who captained Munster at the Kingspan Stadium in the absence of regular skipper Peter O'Mahony, believes it would have been a fitting end to Smith's stint in Ireland had he departed with a winner's medal.
"Andrew Smith has come in and done a massive job," said Hurley.
"I've gotten on quite well with him on the field and off the field. Lads like that come in and really buy into what we are about and slot in seamlessly.
"He's a quiet enough lad that goes about his business. It's lads like that you wish well in the future when they are moving onto other things. I suppose it is disappointing for guys like that.
"We've made a final but we haven't gotten over the last hurdle to really have something to show for it."
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Guinness PRO12 Munster News
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