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The Highlanders final 40-20 scoreline loss to the Crusaders at home didn’t reflect the quality of the effort shown by the home side.
Under the roof at Forsyth Barr, the Highlanders and Crusaders engaged in a furiously paced derby that offered a thrilling contest.
Pulling the strings for the Highlanders was Aaron Smith, making the most of the fast surface to dial up the tempo for the home side. It was such an impressive display from the All Blacks 9 that many fans were willing to re-give him the title of world’s best.
The performance was summed up by a passage of play in the first half where Smith snatched a loose line out throw at the back of the line out and broke through the line past the tail.
Finding a support runner, Smith was there to recycle the next ruck at a rapid pace while the Crusaders were still reeling.
His quick recycle freed the Highlanders backs and allowed Ngane Punivai to score in the corner.
Fans described Smith as ‘different gravy’ and as an ‘unbelievable player’ while claiming that the old Aaron Smith is back and every other 9 in New Zealand will have to prepare to ride the bench.
Aaron Smith is an unbelievable player. #HIGvCRU #SuperRugbyAotearoa @Te_Nug @AllBlacks @Highlanders ? ??
— Hywel Daniel (@HywelDaniel) July 4, 2020
Aaron Smith is simply the best in the world right now, the guy is just machine. WOW! #HIGvCRU
— MVELASE (@SimoMthembu) July 4, 2020
Old School Aaron Smith is back. Sorry scrumhalves in NZ, enjoy the bench at best in black…. He thrives in this Highlanders squad #HIGvCRU
— Cornflake (@CornflakeBTP) July 4, 2020
Aaron Smith in the form of his life right now, makes his opposite number look average #HIGvCRU
— Ben (@BencerasaIe) July 4, 2020
I know what you're saying about Faf Dr Klerk but Aaron Smith is the best scrum half in the world. #HIGvCRU @SkySportsRugby
— Sam (@itsonlysamh) July 4, 2020
Aaron Smith has to be best 9 in the world #HIGvCRU #superrugby
— Ben Gledhill (@recruiterguynw) July 4, 2020
You don’t realise how good Aaron Smith is until he plays in a team not stacked full of All Blacks #HIGvCRU
— Ezy (@jasant88) July 4, 2020
A phenomenal passage of play. Again, Aaron Smith orchestrating things for the Highlanders. No excuses for that missed try. #HIGvCRU
— Matt Gretton (@mattgretton1) July 4, 2020
What a game! #HIGvCRU. Aaron Smith is different gravy. #SuperRugbyAotearoa
— Nigel Burke (@nigelburke11) July 4, 2020
#HIGvCRU supreme game the glue that held it all together well played Aaron Smith
— Gary McMurray (@MacGman3) July 4, 2020
The 20 point margin isn’t a fair reflection on how close the game actuallywas. Highlanders are very entertaining to watch. Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell both very good. In a game of small margins I think that Mo’unga tackle was a real momentum changer. #HIGvCRU
— Ciaron Noble (@CiaronNoble98) July 4, 2020
The Highlanders were still in the match at halftime down 17-14 but failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity only five metres out when Jonah Nareki failed to pass early enough with a guaranteed try on offer.
They were still in the match only down 26-20 until two tries in the final five minutes sealed the match for the Crusaders.
Given the way Smith was playing, it wasn’t lost on many fans that the decision to take him off with the game still in the balance may have been a pivotal call for the Highlanders. One fan called the decision ‘bold’ but also ‘wrong’ at the same time.
So Aaron Smith was taken off and it went from a 4 point deficit to a 20 point loss. #HIGvCRU pic.twitter.com/GAzpnF21xy
— Such Is Life…. (@EnslinMavunga) July 4, 2020
Taking Aaron Smith off with 10 mins to go, you're only down by 6, and he's been your best player all night?!
Bold af and wrong af. Smh #HIGvCRU— Reggie ? (@theweekdaez) July 4, 2020
Think Aaron Smith coming off is the "live to fight another day" move from the Highlanders, they're struggling to get out of their own 22. Just 6 points off but they haven't looked like scoring for about 20 minutes #HIGvCRU #SuperRugbyAotearoa
— Rhys Knott (@buck_mitchell) July 4, 2020
Wtf why Aaron smith they need his experience these last 8 min #HIGvCRU
— s0ñI_C_? (@Soni_siI) July 4, 2020
The loss was the Highlanders’ second successive after going down to the Blues by 3 points in a fighting effort last week against the Blues.
Following their opening win against the Chiefs in Super Rugby Aotearoa, hopes were high that the Highlanders may have turned the corner despite a 1-4-1 start to the regular Super Rugby season.
The road ahead in Super Rugby Aotearoa doesn’t get easier with two away games against the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, both currently winless and desperate to get off the bottom of the Super Rugby Aotearoa table.
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