She may have been a regular in the national side in the past and played in three consecutive World Cups but after being out of the game at the top level for so long, she wasn't sure how much the standard and her own game had changed.

But over the course of the shortened season she proved she could still match it with the best.

Smyth was a standout for the Brumbies, helping them start the season with back-to-back wins and remain in the top three before the coronavirus pandemic cut the season short.

Despite the season ending before finals, the back-rower's performances were good enough to catch the attention of national coach Dwayne Nestor.

The Wallaroos' seven Tests scheduled to be played in 2020 may be in doubt due to the ongoing suspension of all sport, but Smyth is still delighted to be back around the national side for the first time in six years.

"I used to really worry a lot and psyche myself out of games but this time I went in a bit older and my priorities are different," she said of this season, having raised three kids since her previous stint in the game.

"My family is my priority now so I went in thinking whatever happened, happened and I think that's why I played so well.

"I didn't know how I'd go. I played a bit of league with the Goannas last year but the structure has changed so it was all foreign to me.

"But I was really happy and happy my kids are old enough to see."

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Smyth scored in wins over RugbyWA and the Melbourne Rebels before a broken nose and a brutal bout of delayed concussion saw her miss the 41-8 loss to the champion Waratahs side.

She returned in a 24-12 loss to the Queensland Reds, who the Brumbies were scheduled to meet in the finals before the season was abandoned.

"I loved it," she said of the campaign.

"Being one of the older ladies in the competition I think I had a bit more appreciation of where the game has come from and where it is now.

"I remember when we had to pay for everything and we struggled for a kit and players would be rung last minute because it was just something you did on the side.

"But now it's televised and there's crowds and the coaching and management staff is great. I think it should have happened a long time ago but I love that it's happened and I've got two girls so I'm excited they'll have this chance if they want it."

Having had to travel to Canberra twice a week for training for a number of months during pre-season, Smyth admitted there were times when she questioned what she was doing.

But once that first game against RugbyWA began she knew she'd made the right choice, with a try in just the seventh minute proof Smyth hadn't lost her touch.

Smyth also received a huge amount of praise from coach Adam Butt in regards to the experience she provided and being one of the older heads in the squad, alongside Louise Burrows, was something the World Cup star savoured.

"There really was a massive age difference," she said.

"I didn't want to step on any toes but there were times where I knew I had some experience and so said something and I could tell if players were a bit anxious or worried.

"I really enjoyed it and at the start no-one had any idea who I was, and I didn't expect them to, but by the end they realised I had played a bit before and had some knowledge so they'd ask me things and that was nice."

It was also satisfying to get the call from Wallaroos coach Nestor once the season had been called off.

"It was really flattering," she said.

"There had been talk about wanting to develop a young team and I wasn't out to get in so for them to consider me and my geriatric age still was really nice."

Smyth's fellow Ferguson Cup player, West Wyalong's Krystal Fyfe, also played for the Brumbies but failed to finish the season due to injury.