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Aaron Smith makes surprise return to Highlanders for Blues derby

By Online Editors
Aaron Smith. Photo / Getty Images.

Star halfback Aaron Smith has made a shock return from injury to be named on the bench for the Highlanders’ clash against the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday.

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Initially ruled out for four-to-six weeks with an ankle injury that he sustained in the Auckland edition of this derby a few weeks ago, Smith has returned earlier than expected after sporting a moon boot in the early stages of his recovery.

The 30-year-old was seen training freely in Dunedin this week without any apparent concern for his ankle, and his presence within the match day squad will be a big boost for a struggling Highlanders that hasn’t tasted victory in Super Rugby in almost two months.

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Smith is joined on the reserves bench by fellow returning All Black and Highlanders co-captain Luke Whitelock, who missed last week’s 43-17 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch due to a calf injury that he picked up in the previous week’s defeat to the Hurricanes.

The duo add depth a strong side named by head coach Aaron Mauger, which features six All Blacks in the starting lineup, including hooker Liam Coltman, who signed a two-year contract extension with New Zealand Rugby on Tuesday, and lock Jackson Hemopo, who replaces Pari Pari Parkinson in the second row.

The only other change to the starting side comes in the midfield, with hard-hitting centre Sio Tomkinson replacing Rob Thompson and youngster Thomas Umaga-Jensen filling the gap on the bench as the franchise’s midfield merry-go-round continues.

A victory for the 14th-placed Highlanders will extend their tenure as holders of the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy for another year after claiming it in 2012, while the Blues will be searching for their first-ever win at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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