Mission Impossible: Who will replace Ben Smith at the Highlanders next year?
Last weekend marked the halfway stage of the Super Rugby campaign, which means All Blacks and Highlanders great Ben Smith is in the home straight of his decade-long Super Rugby career.
For 10 years, the 32-year-old has built himself a reputation as one of the world’s most dependable yet exciting fullbacks in the game.
From continually defusing high ball after high ball, to evading the grasp of oncoming defenders with a show of incredible elusiveness that few worldwide possess, to leading Otago, the Highlanders and All Blacks with immense pride and leadership every time he has taken to the field, there are very few faults, if any, that can be picked out of Smith’s game.
He’s the golden boy of all things rugby-related in Dunedin and the wider Otago and Highlanders community, and so when he leaves for France after this year’s World Cup to take up a highly-profitable contract with Pau in the Top 14, he will leave a gaping hole at the franchise of which he played his 150th game for in Christchurch last week.
The All Blacks will have a solid group of candidates available to them next year in their quest to fill the gap left by Smith.
Headlined by the likes of Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett, that group consisting of others such as David Havili, Matt Duffie and Will Jordan, as well as yet-to-be-identified bolters from next year’s Super Rugby season, will all provide ample competition for each other as the vacancy for the national No. 15 jersey is advertised by the new All Blacks head coach.
The same cannot be said for the Highlanders, who aren’t afforded that same level of depth at fullback.
While other members within the side can cover fullback, Smith is one of the few out-and-out fullbacks in the squad, and his departure will leave the Highlanders searching across the country for a replacement next year.
With that in mind, here are five contenders to take over Smith’s No. 15 jersey on a full-time basis from 2020 onwards.
Josh McKay
One of the only other out-and-out fullbacks in the Highlanders’ set-up, Josh McKay looks to be the current favourite to overtake Smith’s starting role.
A former New Zealand Schools, Canterbury under-19 and New Zealand under-20 star, the 21-year-old played a key role in helping Canterbury claim the Mitre 10 Cup in 2017.
Used predominantly on the wing or at fullback, McKay’s blistering pace and athleticism aided his case for a Super Rugby contract, which was handed to him by the Highlanders for the 2018 campaign, of which he was used sparingly.
A debut against the Reds in Brisbane was followed by an appearance against the Rebels in their final match of the season in Dunedin, where a sudden step and an electric burst through the middle of the park pierced the Melbourne defence on a scorching 50 metre run which illustrated McKay’s attacking capabilities.
Those two games spelled the end of his debut Super Rugby season, but he was rewarded with a new two-year deal which will see him stay at Forsyth Barr Stadium until the end of 2020.
McKay’s fresh contract coincides with the expiry date of Smith’s deal, which indicates the Highlanders backroom staff see potential in the youngster to become the franchise’s leading fullback next year.
With half a season still to play under the tutelage of Smith, there is still plenty of time for McKay to absorb as much knowledge as he can from his departing co-captain before the possibility of becoming a regular Super Rugby starter becomes reality.
His top-end pace – he is believed to be the fastest player at the Highlanders – combined with his handy goal-kicking makes McKay an ideal option for head coach Aaron Mauger moving forward, and still only in the infancy of his professional career, there is plenty that beckons for the speedster.
Vilimoni Koroi
Another schoolboy and age grade star, Vilimoni Koroi has gone on to make a name for himself on the World Sevens Series circuit.
Since debuting for the All Blacks Sevens as an 18-year-old at the now-defunct Wellington Sevens in 2017, the outside back is just five matches away from appearing in the black jersey for the 100th time, a feat he is likely to bring up at the Paris Sevens next month.
He has a strong reputation in the XVs game as well, standing out for Otago throughout the last two Mitre 10 Cup campaigns.
While Koroi, who stands at just 1.80m and 81kg, acts as a playmaker for the national sevens side, he’s been used on the wing and at fullback for Otago, combining with former Fielding High School 1st XV and All Blacks Sevens teammate Jona Nareki to spark a spectacular set of plays and tries through his pace, elusiveness and tricky ball-playing ability.
It are those facets of his game that has made him a mainstay in the All Blacks Sevens side en route to claiming four tournament titles on the World Series, as well as a Sevens World Cup and a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
While his motive for staying on with the All Blacks Sevens will be to try and obtain a gold medal at next year’s Tokyo Olympics, that shouldn’t prevent the Highlanders from bidding for his services once Smith leaves.
The Ioane brothers, Sonny Bill Williams, Augustine Pulu and Liam Messam were all contracted to Super Rugby teams, with some getting game time for their respective franchises, despite their involvement in the 2015/16 World Sevens Series and the ensuing Olympics, meaning Koroi should be available for the Highlanders if they want him.
It make sense from a proximity perspective, as the Highlanders would be signing local talent from within their catchment area, something of which they’ve veered away from in recent seasons, while Koroi would add depth and provide the likes of McKay with stern competition for a starting role.
Once the 2020 Olympics runs it’s due course, Koroi is almost certain to fully commit himself to a career in XVs, and he’s likely to draw interest from up and down the country, so with Smith just about to pack his bags for France, there’s no better time for the Highlanders to make a move and secure the youngsters services while he’s still free.
Michael Collins
A born-and-raised Otago product, a move to bring Blues fullback Michael Collins back to his home region could be both an attractive option for him, and a well-received signing for Highlanders fans.
Born in Queenstown, and educated at both the local Wakatipu High School and then at the rugby powerhouse Otago Boys’ High School, Collins was the premier schoolboy talent at that end of the country, becoming the only South Island-based student to be selected for the 2011 New Zealand School side, which also featured Ardie Savea, Ngani Laumape and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Interest from Waikato and the Melbourne Storm in the NRL wasn’t enough to lure Collins away from Otago, the province of which he has played for since 2012, and captained to a successful capture of the Ranfurly Shield last year.
Following a season-long loan at Scarlets in the Pro14, his form at fullback during the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup was enough for the ex-midfielder to secure his first-ever Super Rugby contract, with his clarity in communication, speed and strong kicking game enough to win over then-head coach Tana Umaga.
Despite having maintained his place in the squad since then, his standing at the club appears to have diminished upon the arrival of new head coach Leon MacDonald this year, having made just one appearance from the bench since round two, losing his starting role to the in-form Melani Nanai.
Although the Blues will have a vacancy at fullback themselves next year due to the departure of Nanai to Worcester, the fact that Collins has fallen out of favour in Auckland suggests that a move back to his home region could be what’s needed for a career revival.
Eligible for both Wales and England, a move offshore will no doubt be on the cards after this year’s World Cup, but should he stay in New Zealand to continue to prove his worth in Super Rugby, then a move back to home as Smith’s replacement looms as the best possible option.
Mitch Hunt
A shift to the franchise he reduced to a dramatic 25-22 loss in 2017 thanks to a 50-odd metre drop goal deep into injury time might be in order from 2020 onwards for Mitch Hunt.
He became public enemy number one in Dunedin after slotting a stunning drop goal under makeshift circumstances in Christchurch almost two years ago, but despite his heroics at AMI Stadium, Hunt has found himself in the thick of a stern battle for game time at first-five with the Crusaders.
All Blacks back-up pivot Richie Mo’unga has a firm grip on the starting role at the club, while bench duties are shared between Hunt and one-test All Black Brett Cameron.
Possessing the potential to have a starting role at Super Rugby level, Hunt’s growth as a player is being stunted by the game time restrictions placed on him at the Crusaders, meaning a move elsewhere could be in order.
While predominantly used as a playmaker, Hunt has a point of difference in that he is able to play at fullback, something that the Highlanders could look to capitalise on when he comes off contract with the Crusaders at the end of this year.
Although it’s not his primary position, being able to play both first-five and fullback is a trait of which he shares with Highlanders pivot Josh Ioane.
With a dual playmaker axis at first-five and fullback becoming a common theme within New Zealand – the All Blacks, Chiefs and Highlanders have all utilised that tactic at various stages over the past 12 months – there is certainly potential for a Ioane-Hunt axis in either position to wreak havoc on opposition defences.
Both players could alternate positions when and where needed, and although it could be seen as a left-field suggestion to sign a first-five to fill the void left by a fullback, it is one that could present opposition defences with all sorts of problems in the future.
Shaun Stevenson
Once regarded as one of the country’s top schoolboy talents as a fast, skilled outside back, and still in the infancy of his professional career at the age of 22, Shaun Stevenson has fallen well out of favour at the Chiefs.
Three poor showings in the opening three weeks of Super Rugby this year has left the speedster out of action for over a month-and-a-half, with a shocking performance against the Sunwolves in his side’s embarrassing 30-15 defeat at Waikato Stadium condemning him to club rugby and the Chiefs’ reserve side.
That has been the case until the Chiefs named their team to play the Lions this Friday, with the 1.90m, 90kg Stevenson listed on the bench for his first match in seven weeks following the season-ending injury to regular fullback Damian McKenzie.
It should provide him the opportunity to make a case for himself and remind everyone of the outstanding talent he wields.
Although he has a ton of ability at his disposal, he has clearly slid down the pecking order within the Chiefs set-up, and once McKenzie returns to the fray next season, he could have a battle on his hands to dislodge the likes of him, Solomon Alaimalo and Sean Wainui.
If that is the case, a change of scenery may be needed if he is to fulfil his tremendous potential, and with Smith leaving a space open on the Highlanders’ roster, there may be no better place to do that than in Dunedin.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments