I don't think playing Smith is going to make an ounce of difference, neither he nor Italiano are up to being a starting keeper in the league, and giving a young NZ keeper experience is not what the Nix need to be doing right now. We need to be winning and fighting for a top 6 place at least. Sadly I don't think having to rely on Italiano with the current defensive set up is going to get us there.
I don't think Smith would improve our chances of top 6 this season. I don't think he would hurt them either (in comparison to Italiano), so its no loss to give him time on the pitch to develop.