Aaron Smith
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@taniwharugby said in Aaron Smith:
for me, this passage always highlights not just how good he was/is, but how important he was to the way we were playing, as above, a more robust 4th flanker type 9, and we lose this test, he has so many touches in this.
That video isn't quite as enjoyable to watch as it used to be, for some reason.
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@dogmeat said in Aaron Smith:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Aaron Smith:
Probably, along with peak Sid Going & Loveridge, the best AB halfback I've seen
Smith and Loveridge
Bachop and Laidlaw
Then the more flawed #9's
Going and MarshallHistory has been kind to Bachop. He was one of my favourite players but he was pretty bloody erratic. I remember him copping a lot of shit for it too.
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@nzzp said in Aaron Smith:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Aaron Smith:
@Kiwiwomble said in Aaron Smith:
i think he truly will go down as one of the greats, his commitment and attitude have been a huge part of NZ rugby over the last 10-12 years
I think he could have been up there with Carter, McCaw etc but for his toilet cubicle exploits - which seemed to hit him quite hard for a season or two.
Probably, along with peak Sid Going & Loveridge, the best AB halfback I've seen. Hugely committed to the team, almost zero brain-farts, brave and with all the skills in the world - and head and shoulders above any other AB 9 in his era.
What I loved is that he redefined the 9 role, from the trend to go towards the Justin Marshall physical halfback with a compromised pass, to someone who just had a beautifully executed core skill. Peak Smith with his ability to get the ball out in space was insane. Kept the Highlanders in so many games, opened up attack in outer channels, just awesome.
Had it all; the pass, the success, the longevity. Still get a chubby with some of the consistently fast, accurate passing he throws.
Much like Nonu, that handling and vision wasn't something he came to the table with. He clearly worked unbelievably hard to elevate himself to a level above everyone else.
I remember when he first turned up at super rugby and he just looked like an elite touch player, massive step and acceleration, fairly decent short pass.
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@sparky said in Aaron Smith:
@Duluth He’s been a great All Black and first choice Half Back from 2012 to 2023.
The only bad game I can recall was against England in 2012 when we lost and he was really under the pump.
On the other hand, I have a theory that maybe that game stuck to him and he was damn well not going to have another one like that again
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@Victor-Meldrew he was poor for a period After-David too?
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@nzzp 9's who run alot are usually doing so because they lack confidence in their pass - many run when the pass would be off their weaker hand. You can even see this at international level.
Smith doesn't have this problem so when he runs he is more likely to catch the opposition unaware. -
@kidcalder i also think there is a bit of "why run when DC, nonu, smith etc" our outside me
he also ran more for the Highlanders, providing a bit of a spark that might not have been there
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@Kiwiwomble said in Aaron Smith:
i also think there is a bit of "why run when DC, nonu, smith etc" our outside me
You run to keep defenses honest. It creates space out wide if you have to protect the inside channel from a running 9. Honestly, don't over do it, but the odd run keeps the defence uncertain where the attack will come from.
Christie didn't run much - often for the Blues would be running across a big gap just focussed on who he'll hit with the pass. Point is, occasional sniping is gold - and SMith is brilliant at it
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@KiwiMurph sad and surprising he has never even been nominated as world rugby player of the year
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@KiwiMurph said in Aaron Smith:
I feel as if Aaron Smith is taken for granted. His absence will be felt greatly.
I dunno, all year people have said if lose him, we are fucked, he is an integral part of the way we play at pace.
I mean go back to the OP from me in 2021, even then we lamented the lack of back up to him, we have a few players we have been fortunate how durable they have been over thier careers, cos without them, the drop off was huge.
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@KiwiMurph said in Aaron Smith:
I feel as if Aaron Smith is taken for granted. His absence will be felt greatly.
The term All Black great is thrown around all too regularly but for Aaron Smith the term truly applies.
what? by who?
He's always first on the "who can we least afford to lose" poll. Frankly we're fucked if he goes down. And next year will be very interesting without him organising his forward pack.
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@mariner4life said in Aaron Smith:
@KiwiMurph said in Aaron Smith:
I feel as if Aaron Smith is taken for granted. His absence will be felt greatly.
The term All Black great is thrown around all too regularly but for Aaron Smith the term truly applies.
what? by who?
He's always first on the "who can we least afford to lose" poll. Frankly we're fucked if he goes down. And next year will be very interesting without him organising his forward pack.
I didn't word that very well.
What I meant was that as great as we consider him now - in time I think his standing will actually improve. After a decade plus of him as the starting 9 it's going to really hit home when he's not there - it's one thing to say we are fucked without Smith it's another to see how it looks without him there - future 9s are going to be compared with Smith etc.
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"you're just a shit Aaron Smith"
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@KiwiMurph said in Aaron Smith:
@mariner4life said in Aaron Smith:
@KiwiMurph said in Aaron Smith:
I feel as if Aaron Smith is taken for granted. His absence will be felt greatly.
The term All Black great is thrown around all too regularly but for Aaron Smith the term truly applies.
what? by who?
He's always first on the "who can we least afford to lose" poll. Frankly we're fucked if he goes down. And next year will be very interesting without him organising his forward pack.
I didn't word that very well.
What I meant was that as great as we consider him now - in time I think his standing will actually improve. After a decade plus of him as the starting 9 it's going to really hit home when he's not there - it's one thing to say we are fucked without Smith it's another to see how it looks without him there - future 9s are going to be compared with Smith etc.
i think i know what you mean, kind of to my point BB has won world player of the year twice and nominated another time and as i said nuggie hasn;t even got a nomination...so there are definitely corners of society where he is severely underrated, if i cold only have one of the two i would take Smith
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The other obvious thing about Smith is his longevity. Every time people (including myself) suggested he might be slipping away, he has found another gear. He's been consistent in black for 12 years, and has largely been the best in the world in that time. Look at de Klerk, Murray, Youngs etc. plenty of halfbacks have come and gone in the time he has reigned supreme.
Dupont is obviously the #1 now, but Smith is not as far off as some would have you believe. His pass is unmatched.
