Aaron Smith

Kiwiwomble

@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

nzzp

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

KiwiMurph

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.

Kiwiwomble

@KiwiMurph sad and surprising he has never even been nominated as world rugby player of the year

Bovidae

I haven't watched the video, so maybe this is mentioned, but Smith is on 99 test wins so has the chance to join that select group of ABs like BB did last weekend.

taniwharugby

@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.

mariner4life

@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.

KiwiMurph

@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.

mariner4life

"you're just a shit Aaron Smith"

Kiwiwomble

@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

frugby

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.