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'I’m just blessed’: Aaron Smith looks ahead to final week as an All Black
This is Aaron Smith’s last week as an All Black. As you read this, take a moment to applaud, celebrate and cherish the greatness that the halfback known as ‘Nugget’ will leave behind.
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For a player who has given so much to the black jersey, Smith has an opportunity to bow out on top of the rugby world next weekend. The All Blacks are off to “the big dance” in France.
The All Blacks booked their ticket to the Rugby World Cup final with a commanding 44-6 win over Argentina on Friday which sets up a potential fairytale finish to Smith’s Test career.
Smith bid a heartfelt farewell to the Highlanders at the end of their Super Rugby Pacific campaign earlier this year after signing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan on a long-term deal.
With New Zealand Rugby’s eligibility laws preventing overseas players from playing for the All Blacks, the 124-Test veteran has made peace with the fact this is it.
“Knowing it’s my last week, I knew it was going to come to an end. The silver lining for me is I got to control how I went out,” Smith told reporters after the semi-final win over Argentina.
“Obviously signed elsewhere next year but I wanted to make sure this year I had no regrets about how I played, my preparation and giving myself and the team the best I can give.
Match Summary 
2
Penalty Goals
1
0
Tries
7
0
Conversions
3
0
Drop Goals
0
153
Carries
167
6
Line Breaks
11
17
Turnovers Lost
8
3
Turnovers Won
5
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“I’m just blessed (that) I’m trusted by the coaches and the boys to play. I pray to be standing talking to you next week.”
Form is temporary but class is permanent. While the end of Smith’s legendary career is now just days away, the All Blacks centurion has returned to some superb form during the World Cup.
Smith was especially impressive during the big win over Argentina at Stade de France with the Test veteran crossing for a try during the 38-point rout. The All Blacks – and Smith’s career – live to fight another day, which is truly incredible.
For a team that came under immense scrutiny following a historic series loss to Ireland last year, the All Blacks have silenced their critics as they await another chance at rugby immortality.
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“It’s still sinking in. Four years man, I remember this feeling this time four years ago – disappointed, gutted, feeling like you’ve sort of let the country down,” Smith said.
“To be in this position to contend for a World Cup is just so special and also the last couple of years, but all of that doesn’t count for anything now, we’ve taken another step in this tournament and we’re in the big dance.
“That’s so energising and so exciting for our team… just got to get our bodies and minds right and get excited about an awesome week to contend for the World Cup.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
3 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
3 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
235 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
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